Nearing the end of her two-year contractual tenure, Whitewater Schools’ Administrator Dr. Suzanne Zentner has tendered her resignation, for employment in Arizona.

One wishes her the best; she’ll do well.

Sadly, Zentner’s departure creates significant risks for Whitewater. Although I thought her early months as administrator went poorly, she’s proved to be a significant asset to our community. Suzanne Zentner did not have the benefit of a worthy act to follow — her immediate predecessor, Leslie Steinhaus, was an abject disappointment, who left the district drifting on most occasions, and heading in the wrong direction on those rare moments when she did act.

Whitewater’s problems during that earlier time were considerable. One could disagree with aspects of Zentner’s focus, but her manifest creativity and energy were what Whitewater so very much needed.

The district will have to consider a permanent replacement at a time when Wisconsin’s schools are beset by fiscal problems. Talented candidates from outside the state will avoid Wisconsin; candidates from within Wisconsin may be third-tier prospects who are uncompetitive elsewhere.

Although we’re a community that wisely chose Zentner, we’re also the community that foolishly chose her predecessor, Steinhaus — twice (both hired and renewed). Zentner was a welcome relief from Whitewater’s business-as-usual approach.

It’s true that fiscal policy matters for Whitewater’s schools, but it matters as a means to accomplishment in academics, the arts, and athletics. I’m more than prepared to argue over dollars-and-cents, but that debate comes in the context of higher concerns (of the extended curriculum and of fair treatment of all students).

Accomplishment will not come from dull, tired, status-quo solutions. Zentner assured a contemporary direction.

There will be much desire to shape, guide, and direct a hiring effort along the lines that Old Whitewater so very much wishes. Nothing — nothing — could be worse for this district than that approach.

Still, more than one town squire will scheme for exactly that.

Dr. Suzanne Zentner will leave the Whitewater Unified School District to take an educational position in Arizona:

It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to leave my position here, as I feel we have just begun in many ways. So many of you have made such deep impressions on me, warmly welcoming me back to the community I left 20-plus years ago and helping to strengthen and support me in my position here. I will remain forever thankful for what has been a remarkable and memorable professional and personal journey.

From my very first words at our opening convocation, you heard me talk about 21st century learning. Although that concept means different things to different people and looks different among the various districts striving to capture its essence, the core notion remains deeply rooted in what we do in our schools and throughout our nation to better prepare our graduates (and ourselves) for the ever-changing world. I once read an eloquent excerpt from a writer expressing the idea of having to get deeper into his work as a way of becoming more effective. It went something like this…. “If you are going to write a book about stevedores, go work as a stevedore for a period of time.” That said, I have been presented with, and have just accepted, a very rare opportunity to get deeper into where I believe we are, as educators, as a nation, and as a society heading into the future.

In my new position, I will be serving as the National Director of K-12 Education with The Apollo Group in Phoenix, Arizona. This new setting will allow me to further combine my passions for education and business by focusing exclusively on 21st century preparedness with a specific focus on entrepreneurship and innovation to districts nationwide….

See, Thank You, Whitewater! (May 2011).