New Parkway Superintendent Focused on Relationships, Strategic Planning

When was in the midst of a months-long superintendent search, parents, teachers and other community members who is focused on student achievement, has an inspiring vision and possesses strong communication skills.

The district thinks it has .

Parkway School Board President Bruce Major said the district was seeking a “transformational leader” with a personal touch.

“(Marty) excels in the one-on-one,” Major said, adding that he is also a strong mentor.

Marty, who is currently the superintendent of in suburban Milwaukee, said he leads by focusing on relationships.

“I’m really committed to working hard. I think work ethic is something that is very important,” he told Menomenee Falls Patch. “I value relationships and try to develop relationships with people of all levels of the organization. I am approachable and I always try to understand others' viewpoints.”

Marty was named after a months-long nationwide search. The decision was announced Jan. 24. He signed a three-year contract with a starting salary of $220,000 per year. He will replace Interim Superintendent Don Senti on July 1. Senti will be the executive director of the Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis, according to a news release from the district.

Marty said he will get started by getting to know people throughout the district and learning more about the issues facing Parkway. He has already made his first visit since being named superintendent, and four more visits are planned before July.

Marty also said he wants to begin implementing plans from Project Parkway, a multi-year districtwide strategic planning effort.

Marty has worked as a consultant on strategic plans for several districts in Wisconsin, including Madison public schools, Green Bay public schools, Baraboo public schools and two other suburban Milwaukee districts.

Marty has served in the Menomonee Falls district for 22 years, 12 years as the assistant superintendent and 10 years as superintendent. There are roughly 4,500 students in that district. About 17,500 students attend Parkway schools.

Major said he doesn’t have any concerns about Marty taking on a much larger district, adding that his relational style of leadership will help him transition with “no hiccups at all.”

Marty said in some ways he plans to stay the course the district has already set, which may also keep the transition smooth.

“(Parkway is) an outstanding school district. It will be my responsibility to maintain and grow their quality of instruction that has led to student performance,” Marty said. “They know that they need to address the needs of all students, using the right resources and best practices and the right intervention to make sure all students can be successful…

“Everything I see is that it’s a district heading in the right direction. They have quality teachers; I think it’s that major challenge to deliver quality education to every student.”

Marty will attend the Project Parkway Steering Committee meeting on March 16. He’ll be back from April 12 to 15, and will attend the school board meeting on April 13. He will attend the Pillar of Parkway award ceremony at the beginning of May and will return again at the beginning of June for the school board retreat. Then, he’ll take over the reins July 1.

Citing Marty’s decades-long commitment to Menomonee Falls, Major said he hopes Marty will stay longer than the three years in his contract.

“I certainly hope he will hang up his spurs at Parkway,” Major said.

Patch editor contributed to this report.