APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – The Appleton Area School District has chosen their next superintendent.
Greg Hartjes will take over the role, effective July 1st, 2022. Hartjes is currently Chief Financial Officer for the AASD, a role he has filled since 2017.
In a statement, Hartjes said:
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the district that has been my professional home for the past 30 years, and I certainly understand the great responsibility that comes with leading a district with 15,000 students and 2,000 staff members.
I have dedicated my professional career to the children of the Appleton community, and I will continue to bring that same passion, compassion, and commitment to the students and families in the AASD in my new role as superintendent.
I have had the great fortune of working with and learning from Lee Allinger during his 10 years as superintendent, Don Hietpas during his time as our CFO, and Judy Baseman during her 5 years as superintendent.
Appleton is my community, it is our community, and I will do everything I can to bring our community and our school district together to provide the best possible education for our 15,000 students. They are our community’s future, more specifically, they are our future plumbers, doctors, bus drivers, nurses, teachers…and our future leaders…we have no choice but to do everything we can to help them succeed.”
Hartjes’ contract will be acted on by the Board of Education during their regular meeting on March 21, 2022, pending the finalization of contract details. The search process, beginning in December 2021, included multiple interviews that involved staff and community advisory groups as well as the Board of Education.
“Based on clear feedback from all of our stakeholders, the Board sought a collaborative leader positioned to move our district forward. Given Mr. Hartjes’ extensive leadership experience in the AASD, school finance expertise, and constant focus on what is best for our students, the Board is confident in his selection as the next Appleton Area School District Superintendent,” said Board President Kay Eggert.
Prior to his current position, Hartjes served as Principal of Appleton West High School, Appleton Technical Academy (ATECH), and Renaissance School for the Arts, Associate Principal, math teacher, and as a basketball coach in the AASD. He is currently in his 30th year serving in the Appleton Area School District.
Hartjes has a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Marian University, a Master of Mathematics Education degree from UW-Oshkosh, and a Bachelors in Mathematics degree from UW-Stevens Point. He is the father of two AASD graduates and one current AASD student and his wife is a school secretary in the district.
