On Monday, May 22, 2023, the Wauwatosa School District Board of Education approved Superintendent Dr. Demond Means’ recommendation to appoint Dr. Stephen Plank as principal of Wauwatosa East High School.
Dr. Plank’s passion for education stems from his driving mission to tirelessly improve learning opportunities and provide engaging experiences for those he serves. He has gained experience from a progression of teaching and administrative roles. Most recently, he has served as superintendent in the Burlington Area School District where, since 2019, he has been responsible for student achievement, fiscal management, personnel matters, community relations, and more. He has also served as principal of Middleton High School and in other administrative roles in varying capacities, including Fine Arts administrator at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Prior to his work in administration, Dr. Plank taught music at Marinette Middle School and Watertown High School. Dr. Plank earned his doctorate in administrative leadership from Loyola University of Chicago in 2014. In addition to an appreciation of the arts, Dr. Plank enjoys hiking, camping, motorcycling, and bicycling.
“It is with great anticipation that I look forward to serving the Wauwatosa East community for this next chapter in my professional journey,” stated Dr. Plank. “I felt incredibly connected throughout the interview process, which I found to be thorough and student-focused. These observations speak volumes about the positive and inclusive culture of East High School and the Wauwatosa School District. I am truly excited about partnering with students, staff and families in continuing to honor the rich and storied past of East, while looking ahead to finding new ways to help our students learn and grow.”
“I am confident in the skills and experience that Dr. Plank brings to Wauwatosa, and I look forward to seeing how his expertise complements that of the existing leadership team at East,” said Dr. Means. “The unique talents and strengths of Dr. Plank positions Wauwatosa East High School for success and, therefore, will serve to advance and enhance the education of our students.”
The District followed its robust screening and interview process to ensure stakeholder voice was reflected in the final decision.
Prior to making a hiring decision for the Wauwatosa East principalship, initial input was gathered from families and staff via listening sessions. The Division of Human Resources used this information to develop a school profile, which was then used to assess applicants and identify the top candidates for the position. Top candidates participated in panel-style interviews, which consisted of a presentation followed by a question and answer session. After the interviews, interview teams named their recommended finalists. For the final interview, the top two candidates met with a student team, district administrators and a member of the School Board.