Cassandra Schug - Superintendent of Schools

This is the first year that I will serve as the Superintendent of Schools for Watertown and I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity. Prior to my work in Watertown, I served as the Principal of West Bend East High School in West Bend, Wisconsin, from 2003 to 2011. Prior to my work in West Bend, I was an assistant principal and Academic and Assessment Director at Nathan Hale High School in West Allis, Wisconsin. Before my work as an administrator, I was an English teacher at Nathan Hale High School and at McHenry High School in McHenry, Illinois.

I completed my Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in English Education. I then completed my Master of Science degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Administrative Leadership. I am currently completing coursework as a graduate student at Marquette University, and I am pursuing my Ph.D. as a doctoral student at UW-Madison.

I am actively involved in the community and serving the education profession. I am a member of Rotary, and I will serve on the Watertown Library Board. I am also a member of the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators. I served as a Board member and the President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, and I have served on the Executive Board for the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators.

Most important to me is my family. I married my husband, Tom, in 1999, and we have three children ages ten, eight, and five. It is my hope that all of my children will be graduates of the Watertown Unified School District.

Doug Linse - Director of Business Services

Doug Linse joined the Watertown Unified School District in July 2006. He has worked in educational finance since 1994.  He attained his Bachelors Administration Degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1987. He completed his Masters of Science in Education Degree in School Business Management from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1994.
 
Doug enjoys home landscaping, bow hunting and spending time kayaking with his wife, Marie. 
 

Dave Vitale, Ph.D. - Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Dave Vitale has served the Watertown Unified School District since the late 1990’s, as an administrator at the primary, secondary, and district level. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Masters and Doctoral programs in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.

As Watertown’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Dave oversees many programs and projects including K-12 content area curriculum, testing and assessment, professional development, and technology.

He is married to his wife, Jill, with whom he’s raising daughters Ellen and Claire who attend Watertown schools.
 

Michelle Ferris - Director of Instructional Support Services

Michelle Ferris joins the Watertown Unified School District with 28 years in education and 14 years as a school administrator. She has worked as a School Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, School Social Worker, and Guidance Counselor. She has also worked as a private therapist with mental health agencies and hospitals. She has been fortunate to work and learn in a variety of wonderful school settings PK-12 grade.

Michelle has a Bachelors degree from Minnesota State University, her Masters from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in Education and School Social Work, along with a Masters in Education Leadership from Marian University.  Presently she is working on her PhD in Education Leadership at Cardinal Stritch.

Family is most important as she values her husband of 28 years and two grown children; a 24year old daughter and a 21 year old son. Both are in college and grad school, but come home often to visit.  Michelle enjoys all sports, travel and family time. She also fits in working out and time with friends, good books, and community service projects.

Michelle’s belief is that all students can learn and it is our mission to help each student find their personal success.

Ivan Thompson - Director of Human Resources

Ivan Thompson earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education-Cognitive Disabilities from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1973. He continued his education to earn his Master’s Degree in Special Education-Learning Disabilities from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. He has earned additional certification in Special Education-Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Educational Administration from Concordia University (Mequon), and Pupil Services/Special Education Administration from Marian University (Fond du Lac).

Ivan began his career in the Watertown Unified School District in 1989. He was a teacher of high school students with Behavioral/Emotional Disabilities from 1989 until 1994. He also coached cross country, wrestling, and girls’ softball as well as served as advisor for Peer Helpers, Ecology Camp, and Boundary Waters. Ivan served as the on-site summer school coordinator for a number of years. Beginning with the 1994-95 school year he assumed the role of high school assistant principal/athletic director. Ivan became the principal of Watertown High School in 1999 and in 2002 he assumed his current position of Director of Instructional Support Services

Curtis Mould, Assessment/Data Coordinator

Curt Mould earned his undergraduate degree in Biology and Secondary Education. Mr. Mould began his career in education as a high school Earth Science, Anatomy, Physical Science, and Biology teacher.

With a strong emphasis on practices that improve student achievement, Curt entered educational administration following the completion of his Master’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, where he was awarded a University Merit Scholarship. Curt has been involved in curriculum and instruction leadership in his time in education, including K-5 science adoption, K-12 curriculum mapping and reading initiatives, 9-12 science revision, and standards-based report cards.
 

As an Assistant Principal at Watertown High School from 2008-2011, Curt focused on effective transition, student engagement and community outreach as students move from the middle school to the high school.
 

In 2010, Curt studied online and virtual learning with people at the forefront of the field at UW-Madison and is looking forward continuing his work with the WUSD one-to-one laptop initiative and further learning solutions inspired by technology.
 

Curt is currently the Assessment/Data coordinator for the Watertown Unified School District. Curt is involved in providing information and leading discussion about WUSD students and student performance in the classroom as well as initiatives related to Balanced Assessment, Common Core Standards, RtI and PBIS.

A committed educator, Curt has served on graduate and undergraduate college of education advisory committees and recently addressed the soon-to-be graduates from the School of Education and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He currently serves the Watertown community through his service with the Chamber of Commerce and various organizations. He is an avid supporter of the athletic, music and fine arts programs at the high school and looks forward to seeing you at an event, concert or show soon!