Michael Johnson, assistant superintendent of South Washington County Schools, has been named superintendent of the Eau Claire, Wis., Area School District.
Johnson, 50, will replace superintendent Mary Ann Hardebeck, who is retiring this summer. He will start July 1.
Johnson said Wednesday that he was “extremely honored, humbled and thrilled” to be offered the job.
Johnson said he and his wife Michelle have strong ties to the Eau Claire area. “Eau Claire has provided so much for me: my education, the foundation of my teaching career and the start to my family,” he said. “It is now my time to serve this community and its students, and I am excited for the chance to reconnect and introduce myself to all stakeholders in order to lead with one collective, inclusive vision.”
Prior to joining South Washington County Schools in 2014, Johnson served as the director of academic services for the School District of River Falls, Wis., where he also served as principal of Meyer Middle School and as assistant principal at River Falls High School. Johnson has been an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls in their principal licensure programs and spent 10 years teaching middle and high school English.
Johnson has a education specialist degree from the University of St. Thomas and a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire. He is currently a doctoral student at Bethel University.
Johnson was one of three finalists for the job.
