Neillsville's Incoming District Administrator Discusses What Drew Him to Neillsville and More

Monday, April 14th, 2025 -- 4:01 PM

The Neillsville School Board selected and approved Corey Peterson as the new District Administrator for the Neillsville School District.

I had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Peterson and he discussed his background, what drew him to Neillsville and more.

Listen to the interview with Mr. Peterson here!

Mr. Peterson will officially start as the new Administrator on July 1st after the retirement of outgoing Administrator John Gaier.

(AI assisted transcription of the interview by Otter.ai):

Mr. Peterson: "For my education, I've been in been part of schools for, this is my 24th year, and, in doing so, my origins began in Neillsville, actually. My first teaching position was high school social studies in the school school district."

"So I got my feet wet there. And as I got going along through, I ventured into several other districts along the way. I then went to Westfield for a few years and ventured back up to Greenwood to begin my administrative career."

"And then, where we're at now, in Melrose-Mindoro. And so as we transition to Neillsville again, it'll be a great chance to kind of come back home, so to speak, and match up with some people that I've been part of years ago and we'll see them full circle as well."

"So, it's been a great experience to see all the many different facets. To be able to see from the coaching side of things, athletic director, teacher, curriculum coordinator, just trying to look at it from all different angles."

"And appreciate every great talent along the way. Every district has so many amazing people to work alongside, and it's been a privilege to do that in so many different districts so far."

Riley: "Was your time at Neillsville one of the factors that helped draw you back to the district?"

Mr. Peterson: "Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it's always great to have some familiarity the district to go launch into. And, you know, my first years there, I had some great mentors and tutors to work alongside."

"Steve Bratt was a great mentor for me while I was there, John Vornholt taking me under their wings as a colleague and a coach and showing me the ropes and really settled me in and did a great job allowing me to be myself yet help, you know, project forward as to what would be needed in each different situation."

"So, I really appreciate what they had to offer. And, you know, them, along with all the other colleagues that I had at the time, were great to work alongside."

"You know, those memories last with you for years and years and years. It's a great testimonial the great district, and wanting to come back to be part of that. You always want to be part of something great. And I have amazing memories of Neillsville, and excited to get back there and jump back into it."

Riley: " During your time here at Neillsville, do you have any goals or initiatives that you hope to accomplish?"

Mr. Peterson: "Yeah, I mean, as I step in, I need to help finalize where the referendum process is left off with the construction. I know that's going to be in the mix of summer to take a look at that and make sure we finalize that as needed."

"In addition, just getting to know people, I mean, I have to learn everybody's names and faces and just try to get everybody for what position they're in and how we're going to work together to make this the best we can, not only the transition in the summertime, but also launching in a successful 2025-26 school year and working together to make sure that all the goals are attained along the road."

"I know in part of the discussion, referring back to some of the lessons learned in the leadership profile that was offered by the district, I think that's going to be key."

"To be key as well, to try to help guide our navigation moving forward, to help set some goals for the district, make sure that we're adhering to those and aligning to those in our daily practices."

"So, just bringing people on board, collaborate together, make sure stakeholders are involved in this process, so we can all work together as a team as one and move forward to make sure that we're going to hit the marks that we're aiming at. We're aiming to do."

Riley: "Is there anything else, and anything else you would like our listeners or the Neillsville community to know about?"

Mr. Peterson: "I think that they're going to be very excited in the sense that, if there's an issue, if there's something you need to talk to me about, please approach me."

"I know that over the course of time, I've always prided myself on making sure that you know you talk about relationships. It's about people. This is the people profession and knowing that we're all in it together, and that is for the best interest of the kids."

"So, whatever we could do, whether it be an idea that's generated, whether it be a new practice that we can instill, whatever we can do to make it the best we can for kids, that's what we're going after."

"And so, at any point in time, I'm hoping that if people have ideas out there and they want to share them, feel free to let me know. I really want to connect with everybody across the board."

"And, hopefully, I know Mr. Gaier has done an amazing job getting the district set up in just a perfect position to be able to move forward. I aim to carry that forward and make sure that we can continue on with what's been done and then aim for some bigger and better things as to what the leadership profile has directed us to."

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.