Fox Point-Bayside Superintendent Announces Resignation

The district administrator of the Fox Point-Bayside School District has decided to resign in August, saying she wants to further pursue her work with a non-profit organization.

The School Board accepted Rachel Boechler's resignation at Monday's meeting.

In a news release, board President Michael Weiss said Boechler was an asset to the board during the adoption of Act 10 and other changes in Wisconsin's educational landscape.

"Dr. Boechler successfully navigated the district through the adoption of Act 10, unprecedented school funding cuts, and sweeping new curriculum requirements," Weiss said. "She never let us forget that, despite the many distractions facing our district and other school districts in Wisconsin, we must always focus on doing our best to educate every student. Dr. Boechler is leaving the district well positioned for continued success." 

Last year, school parents voiced concerns about Boechler after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported she failed to report an affair between a student and teacher when she was a counselor in Wauwatosa in the early 1990s. At that same meeting, the board voted to extend Boechler's contract for another two years.

In a phone interview, Boechler said the controversy "had absolutely nothing to do with" her decision to resign.

Boechler said it was not an easy decision to leave Fox Point-Bayside, but she wanted to further her work with the Center for Courage & Renewal, a Seattle-based non-profit that works with leaders to nurture personal and professional integrity and the courage to act in the fields of education, health care and clergy. She has been engaged with CCR for the past 13 years and now serves as the board chair.

Boechler also plans to pursue work she has previously been engaged in related to teaching, writing, leadership coaching and organizational consulting, according to the news release. 

Boechler, who joined the district in July 2010, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have served the Fox Point-Bayside School District and for the commitment and support of the board during her tenure.  

She also expressed appreciation for district parents and staff.

“The Fox Point-Bayside School District continues to have great potential to achieve the goals aspired to and is well on its way to meet those goals despite the ever-changing educational environment we live in," she said in the news release.  "I am committed to working with the board, staff and community over the next six months to leave the district in the best position possible to reach those goals.”

A special meeting of the board will be called soon to plan for the transition and the search for a new administrator.