District 214 Names New Hersey High School Principal

School District 214 has named Gordon J. Sisson the new principal of John Hersey High School. 

Sisson, current principal of Marshfield High School in Marshfield, WI, will succeed Dr. Tina Cantrell when she retires at the end of the school year.            

Sisson began his education career more than 30 years ago as an English instructor at Marshfield Junior High.

He then taught English and alternative education at Marshfield High School before assuming the role of assistant principal then principal at Grant Elementary in Marshfield.

In 2002, he became the assistant principal at Marshfield High School, and six years later its principal.           

As principal, Sisson introduced Professional Learning Communities to his building, then to the district.

This initiative focused the entire school district on student learning and led to revamping the grading practices, honing in on learning targets, and successfully creating interventions to increase student learning.

College and career readiness also have increased, and the average ACT score has risen a full point for two years. Under Sisson's leadership, Marshfield High School has been awarded the status of number one high school in the state of Wisconsin by The Washington Post.           

"Mr. Sisson brings a wealth of curriculum knowledge and experiences to John Hersey High School," said Dr. David R. Schuler, superintendent in the John Hersey District news. "The staff and students will most certainly benefit from both."                      

Sisson sits on the YMCA and the Wisconsin State Music Association Boards.

He also has served on the Norwood Mental Health Hospital Human Rights Committee, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Advisory Council, and the Kiwanis Club of Marshfield.           

"I am honored, humbled, and absolutely ecstatic to become John Hersey High School's next principal," said Sisson in the district news. "Hersey is an extraordinary high school, and this is a phenomenal opportunity to lead a school that is totally focused upon student learning."

"I intend to honor the vision and work that has occurred before me, while seeking additional methods and manners of continuous improvement," he said in the district news. 

"I look forward to meeting the students, staff, parents, administrators, and community members who have forged such a great team working with such cohesive commitment," he continued in the district news. 

Students at  begin classes on Aug. 22.