New Waukesha Schools Superintendent Named

WAUKESHA, WI — James R. Sebert has been named as the next Superintendent of Waukesha Schools after Todd Gray announced his retirement in March after serving 12 years with the district. Sebert is expected to be formally approved for the position during the Waukesha School Board's meeting on Wednesday.

School Board President Joseph Como in a statement, said: “any of the three finalists were well qualified to do the job; however, Dr. Sebert’s experience and attributes were the best fit for taking the Waukesha School District to the next level. Dr. Sebert’s 11 years of leadership as Superintendent of Fond du Lac, the 15th largest district in the state, combined with his top attributes of being politically astute, student focused, open-minded, collaborative, involved in the community and embracing diversity ideally equip him to lead Waukesha as the 7th-largest school district in the state.”

Officials said Sebert will bring his experience leading the Fond du Lac School District through the statewide school closings caused by the Coronavirus pandemic to the Waukesha School District.

The Waukesha School Board, staff, and community initially conducted the superintendent search process online. Interviews for each of the three finalists were conducted last week in person, with recommended safety measures of social distancing and face masks to protect one another while still moving forward.

Sebert’s two-year contract will start on July 1 at a first-year salary of $195,000. He and his family are planning to move to the Waukesha School District, officials said.

Waukesha School District Deputy Superintendent Joseph Koch, Watertown School District Superintendent Cassandra Schug and Sebert were the three finalists for the job.