Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
The Bonduel School District is reaching into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a new principal to lead the district’s elementary school starting this fall.
Brad Grayvold, a veteran educator from Norway, Michigan, has been named to take over administration of Bonduel Elementary School.
The school board voted Monday to hire Grayvold to succeed Peggy Jones, who is retiring after 16 years on the job.
School District Administrator Patrick Rau said Grayvold offers the experience that officials wanted to maintain momentum in the elementary school and also to guide the district through some changes.
“He could come in and immediately provide stable leadership,” Rau said.
Grayvold is scheduled to start work July 1 at a salary of $82,500 a year.
Grayvold, 50, who has been a principal in Michigan for 14 years, said he looks forward to building on the success and tradition that the district seems to have.
“They have a solid foundation,” he said, “and I just want to continue that and add to it.”
He was chosen from among 42 applicants for the principal’s job, including the other finalist, Amy McKeefry, a former Pulaski teacher now working as an elementary school principal in Neenah.
Grayvold arrives as the school district is seeking voter approval of an Aug. 1 referendum allowing the district to raise an additional $2.7 million in property taxes over the next three years. The measure is intended to help the district manage a budget deficit and avoid deep cuts in personnel and programs.
A similar measure was rejected by voters in April.
District officials had discussed eliminating the elementary school principal position, but they later elected instead to eliminate the middle school principal position. As part of the restructuring, sixth-grade students will remain part of the elementary school, while seventh- and eighth-graders will be moved into the high school.
Grayvold said he has been through similar ballot measures in Michigan, and he is happy to be coming to Bonduel to assist with the referendum-related issues.
“I just want to add a positive voice,” he said.
Grayvold, who has a master’s degree in education, began his career as a social studies teacher and football coach at school districts in the Upper Peninsula. He joined Norway-Vulcan Area Schools in 1999 and has served as the district’s elementary school principal since 2003.
He and his wife, Dana, plan to relocate in the Cecil area. They have three children, the youngest of whom just graduated from high school.
Grayvold said the family has traveled through Wisconsin many times and has been impressed by Bonduel, including how the local schools are central to the community. He said he hopes to become active in the community beyond serving as principal.
Board members voted unanimously to hire Grayvold, except for Greg Borowski, who abstained because his wife works at the elementary school.
Board member Dale Bergsbaken said he was impressed by Grayvold’s experience as a teacher and administrator.
“It seems like he’s up on all the facets of education,” Bergsbaken said.
Board member Judy Rank said the new principal appears to be “a good fit” with Bonduel Elementary School.
“He seemed very personable and children-oriented,” she said. “And that’s what you want.”