Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Lindner, Jackson, Williams, Lenz, Lacke
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/15/2020
New Loyal District Administrator (Lindner - 2020)
By Valorie Brecht
The Loyal School District Board of Education has named Chris Lindner as the district administrator beginning with the 2020-21 school year.
“I’m excited for this new challenge and opportunity,” said Lindner, who currently serves at the junior and senior high principal.
Although it will be a new position for Lindner, he is already very familiar with the district. He began as a technology and driver’s education teacher in 1994 and taught for 19 years before taking on the role of principal.
After Cale Jackson resigned last summer and took a position elsewhere in the state, the school board was in search of a new district administrator. However, prior to that opportunity coming up, Lindner said he had already considered furthering his career by becoming a district administrator.
“Even a couple years ago, Mr. Jackson talked about it here and there and suggested I start working on it at least,” said Lindner. “When he decided to leave, it came as a complete surprise. So, at that point, I figured I would work on it and see what happens.”
This past fall, Lindner began classes for district administrator’s certification through Concordia University, which he expects to complete either this summer or in the fall. He already possesses a bachelor of science degree in technology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a master of education degree in educational leadership from University of Minnesota-Winona.
In his new role, Lindner will be working a little less with students in his day-to-day duties.
“As a principal, you’re pulled in many directions, so I expect that to be a little less. It will be more working with the community, the public and finances,” said Lindner. I’m looking forward to just being able to work with everyone in the entire building [and] all the students. As a junior/senior high principal, you’re kind of limited.”
An announcement on the “Loyal School District” page on Facebook page Jan. 10 praised Lindner’s accomplishments so far.
“As a principal, Mr. Lindner has been instrumental in spearheading programs to improve curriculum, staff development. Faculty evaluation, student conduct, overseeing school budgeting and K-12 writing initiatives. His focus on student learning extends from those individuals pursuing post-secondary education across the board to intervention strategies for those who struggle to achieve,” it stated.
Besides being principal, Lindner has led the high school football program for many years as head coach. He also coached various levels of basketball for the district.
In the community, Lindner has served as a city alderman, Loyal Chamber of Commerce board member and Loyal Nostalgias Car Show coordinator. He is a lifetime FFA Alumni member, an active member of the Loyal Lions Club and received the Woodmen of America Hometown Hero Award.
“The Board of Education is confident that Mr. Lindner’s obvious pride in our school district’s past successes coupled with ideas for future endeavors will be the great leadership necessary in his new role as district administrator,” the Facebook post stated.
Lindner said that when he began as a student teacher he never expected that he would become a district administrator someday, but he was grateful to all whose who helped him get to this point. He extended appreciation to his parents, Jackson, Graeme Williams, Bob Lenz, Mark Lacke and the many others who have supported him.
Lacke is serving at the interim district administrator for this school year.
The school board will formally appoint Lindner at its meeting Wednesday and begin discussions about selecting a new junior and senior high principal.
