Wilken named next Willard Schools superintendent

Assistant superintendent of operations promoted, to assume duties July 1
 
When Dr. Matt Teeter, superintendent of the Willard R-2 School District, announced his resignation, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year, the district’s school board began searching for his replacement. On Friday, Feb. 11, the board announced, via a press release, that a new superintendent had been hired. Dr. Eric Wilken will be Willard’s top educator for the 2022-23 school year.
Dr. Wilken, the current assistant superintendent of operations at Willard R-2, was offered the position during a special meeting of the school board on Thursday, Feb. 10. His contract will be finalized during the board’s regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 17.
"I am honored for the opportunity to lead this district," Wilken said. "We have a lot of positive momentum going forward. We will continue to build on our team focusing on our students and staff. Willard is a great community with a lot of rich traditions in excellence and I look forward to what the future will hold for our district and community."
Wilken has been with the Willard School District as assistant superintendent since July of last year. Prior to coming to Willard, according to the district’s press release, he was the superintendent of schools at the Weableau district for 11 years.
Wilken was one of 17 qualified applicants for the job. According to the press release, the board selected seven qualified candidates for the position and then created a committee made up of administrators, directors and staff who joined the board in an in-person interview session of the candidates.
From there, three candidates were chosen to take part in an extended interview process with the board and a “committee of community stakeholders.” The committee provided the board with feedback for their consideration before Wilken was chosen for the job.
Wilken’s first day as superintendent will be July 1 of this year.