If there was any doubt that Jon Bales would be a good fit for the DeForest School District, it was quickly erased when he arrived here nearly a decade ago.
The School Board had set up a program to solicit input from residents about the future direction of the district. Another superintendent might have been more eager to put his own stamp on the district. But Bales embraced the project, which led to a renewed commitment to technology, quality facilities and individualized learning programs.
"When we did that, it just really made a connection between the district and the community," said Bales, 56. "For me that was one of the most gratifying things we've done. All that community input is like gold."
In February, the district plans to hold a similar program, this time looking to the year 2025.
Bales' role in implementing those goals is among the reasons he has been named Wisconsin's 2009 Superintendent of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators.
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