Slow and Steady Wins the Prize

WAITSBURG – With six weeks on-the-job under his belt, new Waitsburg School District Superintendent Dr. Jon Mishra says his welcome has been "excellent" and he is excited about his future in Waitsburg.

Mishra pointed to Aesop's Fable, The Tortoise and the Hare, as the guideline for the district.

"That's what's going to drive our journey forward. We're going to take our time. Slow and steady wins the race. I've been an educator for 25 years and I've been through the system as a student and oftentimes we get caught into this one-time-wonder, silver-bullet deal. We need to take our time and be methodical about what we're doing," Mishra said.

"As long as we're moving forward, we're OK. As long as we don't give up. I liken it to losing weight. The first five to seven pounds come off easy and you're feeling good. Then you stop losing or plateau. You have two choices; modify your routine or quit," he said.

Mishra said his plan starts with establishing and re-establishing relationships, which will be the focus of this year. He has gathered a group of teachers and staff, called the Professional Development Council, which will get together on Aug. 22 to talk about that journey, he said.

He is also making a point to keep the community involved and updated by writing a regular blog-style column called Cardinal Callings, which is posted on the main page of the district website at waitsburgsd.org.

Posts remind parents of upcoming events, share what the staff has been up to, give updates on school improvements and projects, and provide a forum for Mishra to share his thoughts, goals and plans for the district. He recently added a video and said he intends to incorporate more of those.

Mishra said he appreciates feedback and welcomes emails with thoughts and suggestions. He said one highlight of his time here has been talking with people while out on his morning walks.

"It's nice to have that openness. I want people to feel that I'm approachable. I like to talk, whether here in the office or somewhere else," he said.

One of the first projects facing Mishra are the capital improvement projects – a new fieldhouse, kitchen, and HVAC system – funded by a $3.8 million bond approved by voters last November. Mishra said the projects are underway and feels the process was going well so far.

Representatives from Design West participated in a work session to narrow down specifications for the field house on July 12 and another group visited recently to meet with kitchen staff and perform a walk-through of the facilities with Facilities/Transportation/Maintenance Supervisor Colter Mohney. Mohney is serving as project manager for the improvements, which Mishra said is a huge benefit.

"Colter has a lot of knowledge. Not only of the technical aspects, but historical knowledge of the community," he said.

"You bring a project manager in and they manage the project, then go. Someone else has to do the upkeep and maintenance. Colter is one-and-all and is able to think out-of-the-box and think about how things will help us down the road and work with our current systems," he added.

Mishra said he plans to keep the community updated on plans and progress through his Cardinal Callings column and encourages anyone with questions to please ask.

"I think it's going to be pretty impressive once it gets going. When it comes to bonds, it's promises made, promises kept . . . I look forward to being able to step back with satisfaction, as a community, and being proud that we were able to do this," he said.

Mishra said his family has been warmly welcomed and that they are looking forward to becoming an integral part of the community.

"One of the reasons we moved here is because of the close-knit community feel and that you get to stay with the same group of kids," he said, regarding his son who will be in seventh grade this fall.

Mishra said it is the long-time residents who become the heart of the community.

"It's those people that keep small towns like this sustaining and thriving. You have that heart of the community. Those are the folks that are always around and they know. It's great speaking with them to hear the stories," he said.

When it comes to the year ahead, Mishra is optimistic.

"I'm looking forward to it. When you come into a system that's already functioning well, that's what's nice. Now you're just looking at continuous improvement and moving forward. It's a journey and takes time, and I'm committed to being here for the journey," he said.