“I want destination Madison to also be destination MMSD,” says new Superintendent Joe Gothard. He joins host Douglas Haynes today to talk about his vision for Madison Metropolitan School District, Wisconsin’s second largest school district which serves over 26,000 students. 

Gothard returned to Madison last spring to take on this new role as Superintendent. The role comes with its challenges including a decline in student enrollment, a budget shortfall, and achievement gaps. 

Their conversation touched on MMSD’s 10 community schools, the role of public schools in supporting youth mental health, school safety, and the two referenda on the November 5 ballot. If approved, these referenda would increase MMSD’s budget and enable the district to replace or renovate 10 campuses. One of the items comes with a steep price for Madison homeowners, but Superintendent Gothard says that increasing the district’s operating budget would make it possible to really invest in students’ futures. 

Dr. Joe Gothard grew up on Madison’s east side and attended Elvehjem Elementary School, Sennett Middle School and La Follette High School. He launched his teaching career as a high school biology teacher at La Follette. Since then he has served as an educational assistant, a football coach, a principal, dean of students and as assistant superintendent for secondary schools in MMSD. Most recently, Dr. Gothard served as superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS), a position he held for seven years before returning to Madison as MMSD’s new superintendent.

Photo courtesy of Sara Gabler/WORT.

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