Building trust and 'one team' is goal for Willard's new school superintendent
Eric Wilken, new superintendent of Willard Public Schools, does not claim to be a gifted public speaker — and it's never been a priority.
"I listen more than I speak," he said.
Wilken said when he does talk, his priority is to be honest and speak from the heart.
"I like to laugh. I like to have fun. I think if you're having fun on your job, you are a better employee," he said. "I don't like to make anything about me. Nothing is about me. I like to function as a team."
Wilken officially moved into the new role this week, one year after joining the district as the assistant superintendent of operations.
Willard, like many Missouri districts, will face significant challenges going forward as it seeks to hire and retain enough qualified teachers and staff, improve student discipline and maintain solid financial footing after federal COVID-19 relief dries up.
Wilken said the district can meet those goals, and more, if the administrative team, the school board, the families, and the teachers and support staff are communicating and pulling in the same direction.
"We need to function as one team," he said.
To accomplish that, Wilken said he will work to build trust and relationships.
"You have to be real with people. You can listen and you can listen with intent. It doesn't mean you always have to agree," he said. "But you do have to be real and they have to know you truly care."
Wilken said focusing on academic achievement remains an overarching goal but he has other areas he plans to spotlight this year, including:
Reducing demands on time of teachers, staff;
Elevating voices of employees in decision-making;
Working to ensure the perception of the district on social media reflects reality.
Applying for job: 'I just prayed on it'
A year ago, Wilken was hired by then-Superintendent Matt Teeter, who had been in the job since 2017.
"I love southwest Missouri. I love Springfield. I have family around Springfield," he said. "There were two or three districts that me and my wife thought 'Man, they would be great to work in and great to raise a family in' and Willard was one of them."
In December, when most superintendents start their annual evaluation, Teeter abruptly announced plans to resign, effective June 30.
Wilken was asked if he planned to apply. He was unsure at first.
"I just prayed on it and thought on it over Christmas break and came to the conclusion, hey, I'll put my name in the hat," he said.
The school board selected Wilken from among 17 applicants. In the interview, he spoke about building teamwork, relationships and trust.
"We've got to celebrate the things that need celebrated," he said. "And things that need addressed, we need to address."
Wilken is not new to the superintendent's role.
He spent 11 years as the top leader in the Weaubleau district — where he had earlier been elementary principal and athletic director — before moving to Willard.
Wilken started his career teaching middle school math at School of the Osage.
He has a doctorate from Lindenwood University, a specialist degree from William Woods University, and a master's degree from Missouri State University. His bachelor's degree was from Southwest Baptist University.
His wife Julie, a registered nurse, teaches at SBU. They have three children: Cooper is a senior; Callie is a seventh-grader; and Camden is a fourth-grader.
'Do what was best for kids'
Wilken grew up in Aurora and Skyline, where his mom was a teacher and his father was superintendent.
He said his father "knew how to be part of the community" and work with others.
"He had a knack for getting along with people and I really think that is lacking in today's world," he said. "A lot of times when people don't agree, they think they have to not like each other."
Wilken said he learned, among other things, that when two people disagree, they ought to talk about it in person. "One-on-one is the best way to disagree and (still) leave the room on the same page."
His father, Ron Wilken, most recently worked as an area supervisor for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
"We come from an education family," Ron Wilken said. Asked what advice he gave his son, he said: "I just told him to be yourself and always do what was best for kids."
"I certainly am proud of him. He is a people person," Ron Wilken said. "He relates well with the teachers and administrators but also the public and the parents and the grandpas and grandmas out there."
Ron Wilken said his son has "always been extremely conscientious."
"He really doesn't do anything halfway and he's been that way since he was five years old," he said. "He was just extremely calm, conscientious and wanted things done right, no matter if he was in school studying or playing basketball or baseball."
Working on infrastructure projects
Eric Wilken said Willard is a strong community and the schools are good but that does not mean they are without challenges.
The district in northwest Greene County has struggled to fill all its jobs, a challenge that many others are facing.
"We need bus drivers. We need custodians. We need paras," he said. "There are a few certified positions we're still looking for."
He said the board just approved a "large market adjustment" to improve pay. It includes a 3 percent cost-of-living raise plus a "step" increase — built-in raises for experience or education level — which pushed the starting teacher pay to $40,180.
In April, voters approved a $29.5 million bond for secure entrances, tornado safe rooms, and expanded classrooms. It was a "no tax increase" bond, which means the district will extend its current debt but the property tax rate will not go up.
Wilken and his team will be busy managing projects at six buildings, including:
Willard Middle School — Secure entry, relocation of main office, enlarged classrooms, renovated restrooms, relocation of media center, replacement of HVAC and roofing and better utilization of the courtyard;
Willard Central Elementary — Secure entry, add multi-purpose safe room, add pre-K addition, renovate essential skills classroom, and replace HVAC and roofing for the school;
Willard South Elementary — Secure entry, add multi-purpose safe room, new restrooms, classroom expansion, kitchen addition, and expanded health services area;
Willard High School — Add multi-purpose safe room, lobby and viewing areas, and restroom and locker facilities;
Willard North Elementary — Secure entry, expand counseling services, renovate original restroom block, and add staff restroom;
Willard East Elementary — Secure entry and replace entry system.
Extra attention on middle school behavior after assault
In May, a student at Willard Middle School was injured in an assault. The incident set off a social media firestorm with parents alleging there had been an uptick in discipline and bullying incidents.
Wilken said the district is focused on the middle school and steps have been taken in an effort to improve the upcoming year.
"Behaviors at the middle school have been more impacted by COVID across the nation than any other age group," he said.
Wilken said the district is committed to communicating with its parents and staff and to address concerns as they come up.
He said the SUCCESS intervention program, which offers extra support to students at-risk due to academic or behavioral issues, will once again be available on-site at the middle school.
"We have it at the high school level," he said. "I believe we had this at the middle school level, five or so years ago, so we're just bringing it back."
There will be staff dedicated to the program, which will be in two classrooms. Students will be referred by teachers, the principal, or a counselor.
"We've hired two staff members and then we've also hired a behavioral interventionist," he said.
Claudette Riley is the education reporter for the News-Leader. Email news tips to criley@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Building trust and 'one team' is goal for Willard's new superintendent
