Kimberly Superintendent to Step Down
By Jim Collar, The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis.
Mar. 25–KIMBERLY — Mel Lightner, Kimberly’s superintendent of schools, announced Monday that he will resign when his current contract expires at the end of the 2008-09 school year.
The announcement came after a closed session of the Kimberly Board of Education and was accepted by unanimous vote when the board reconvened in open session.
Lightner, 50, didn’t attend the board’s open session meeting, which was the first since John Miron was released as Kimberly High School’s boys’ basketball coach March 10. The firing of Miron was one of several controversial issues in the district this school year.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as the superintendent of schools in this wonderful community,” Lightner said in a resignation letter read by board President Dan Lenz. “I have witnessed the community accomplish many great things including building new schools, raising student achievement and combating youth drug and alcohol use. This community cares deeply about the well-being of its children.”
A crowd of close to 200 people was in attendance in the Kimberly High School commons in response to Miron’s dismissal. The coach led the Papermakers to 241 victories and a pair of state championships in 17 years.
Many people in the audience broke into applause as Lenz began reading Lightner’s resignation letter.
Lenz threatened to adjourn the meeting if there were any more outbursts.
Board members offered thanks to Lightner for his service and accomplishments.
“He’s done a lot of great things for our district,” board member Larry Wurdinger said. “We wish him the best in his future.”
Before the Miron issue surfaced, a large crowd turned out to a board meeting in February to offer mixed opinions on the district’s plan for $675,000 in athletic field improvements that will include installing an artificial surface on the football field.
Last fall, the district’s Positive Youth Development Foundation drew scrutiny from church-state separation advocates regarding funding given for a Christian-themed program.
Lightner succeeded Ed Wulgaert as Kimberly’s superintendent of schools on July 1, 1995, the day after Wulgaert retired. At the time, Lightner was superintendent of schools in Colby, a small community near Marshfield.
Before that, he was principal at Evansville High School (1990-93) and assistant principal at Sauk Prairie High School in Prairie du Sac (1988-90).
He started his career in education in 1981 at Phillips High School, where he was a social studies instructor and head football and track coach.
Lightner holds a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master’s degree in educational administration from UW-Superior and a bachelor’s degree in social studies and history from UW-Madison.
In 1991, the Evansville Jaycees named him “outstanding young educator.”
“During my remaining tenure here as superintendent of schools, I will continue to work hard to serve the children and the community,” Lightner wrote in his resignation letter.
The Mel Lightner file
Age: 50
Professional career: Became Kimberly’s superintendent of schools on July 1, 1995. At the time, Lightner was superintendent of schools in Colby. Before that, he was principal at Evansville High School (1990-93) and assistant principal at Sauk Prairie High School in Prairie du Sac (1988-90). He started his career in education in 1981 at Phillips High School, where he was a social studies instructor and head football and track coach.
Education: Lightner holds a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master’s degree in educational administration from UW-Superior and a bachelor’s degree in broadfield social studies and history from UW-Madison.
Honors: In 1991, he was named “outstanding young educator” by the Evansville Jaycees.
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