Dr. Sara Croney

Innovative Gatekeeper for the Maple School District

by Linda Conradi

Dr. Sara Croney, new superintendent for the Maple, Wisconsin School District, hadn’t even unpacked the moving van, when she and her husband, Doug took part in the Spider Lake 5K run at Iron River this past summer. Indicative of her commitment to her community, Sara jumped into her new post with a similarly enthusiastic spirit.

Ambitious Goals

Sara earned her doctorate in educational administration at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; her master’s degree in secondary administration and supervision from George Washington University, Washington, DC; and her bachelor of arts degree in dramatic arts, literature and secondary education from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois.

Sara came to Maple from Oconto, Wisconsin, where she was superintendent from 2001-2014. At the Maple district office, she speaks of an ambitious list of this year’s goals and strategies for the board, staff, and community.

One project is designed to give high school students opportunities to partner with local businesses in an effort to provide real life experience in the working world prior to graduation. Sara gestures to an under-construction cabin across the parking lot that students are building under the guidance of Joe Letko, vo-tech teacher and department chair. When completed, the cabin will be auctioned and the proceeds will go toward the purchase of a highly specialized CNC computer (computer numerically controlled) for the students.

Continued on page 66 wide-spread support of participation in a wellness program sponsored by the school district. This fall, 118 of the 215 employees participated in a challenge to walk more. The community at large has access to an impressive workout center in the high school which has external access and parking nearby.

Sara also speaks highly of the caliber of parenting that she sees across the district. This attitude of caring goes both ways. Nancy Lind, long time educator and clerk of the Board of Education, says of Sara, “She is so personable. She genuinely cares about people and education.”

The rural district covers Maple, Brule, and Iron River, with four schools and an enrollment of 1,385 students from K-12. It is on Sara’s weekly agenda to visit each school.

Sara notes that student needs are a priority and, as an example, describes the fact that because so many students leave home early to ride the bus, the school makes available breakfast for these students. She says that they are also working on a plan for what she terms “wrap around” child care for both before and after school.

Describing herself as a gatekeeper for the district, she says that it is up to her to protect the quality of education, serve provide teacher support and staff devel opment, and come up with “cool ideas.”

Keeping Life In Balance

Skilled in the art of multi-tasking, Sara and Doug have raised five children while both working full time. The youngest, and only girl, is currently a

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