WUSD Board Selects Three Superintendent Finalists

WHITEWATER, WI — The Whitewater Unified School District Board of Education has selected three finalists in its search for the next district superintendent. The finalists are Samuel Karns, Kurt Schneider, and Laurie Fiorenza.

As part of the selection process, the three finalists will spend a day in the district on Thursday, May 22. The day will include a tour of the schools and time to meet with staff and students. Parents, families, and community members will also have an opportunity to meet the candidates in a public session that evening.

All interested families, parents, and community members are invited to participate in the session, which will take place from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Whitewater High School Auditorium. Each of the finalists will introduce themselves and take questions during their individual 45-minute session.

All district and community participants throughout the day will be able to share their feedback with the board via an online form, available through a link and QR code. The Board of Education will conduct final interviews with each of the candidates that evening.

Below are details on each of the finalists:

Samuel Karns

Karns holds a Superintendent Licensure from Concordia University, a Master's in Education from Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Texas.

He is currently serving as Todd Elementary Principal for the School District of Beloit in Beloit, WI, where he has been for three years.

Prior to that, he held the position of Assistant Principal for the School District of Beloit in Beloit, WI, for one year, Assistant Principal for the Spring Branch Independent School District in Spring Valley, TX, for three years, Assistant Director of Student Wellness K-12 for the Spring Branch Independent School District in Spring Valley, TX, for four years, an Health Fitness Specialist for the Spring Branch Independent School District in Spring Valley, TX, for six years.

Karns has received the AWSA 2025 Elementary Principal of the Year for Wisconsin, the Herb Kohl 2025 Principal Leadership Recipient, and the Spring Branch Independent School District Teacher of the Year (Texas).

Kurt Schneider

Schneider holds a Doctorate in Education Administration, a Master’s of Education in Special Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, all from UW-Madison.

He is currently serving as Superintendent for the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804, in Highland Park, IL, where he has been for nine years.

Prior to that, he held the position of Assistant Superintendent of Learning for the Community Consolidated School District 181 in Hinsdale, IL, for four years, and the Director of Student Services for the Stoughton Area School District in Stoughton, WI, for eight years.

Laurie Fiorenza

Fiorenza holds a Doctorate of Education from the University of Concordia, a Master’s in Education in Special Education from Quincy University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Quincy University.

She is currently serving as Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning for the Oak Park & River Forest High School District in Oak Park, IL, where she has been for four years.

Prior to that, she held the position of Director of Student Learning for the Oak Park & River Forest High School District in Oak Park, IL, for two years, Principal for the Indian Prairie School District 204 in Aurora, IL, for four years, Assistant Principal for the Batavia Public School District 101 in Batavia, IL, for two years, Assistant Principal for the Quincy Public School District 172 in Quincy, IL, for two years, and Teaching & Instructional Coaching for the Quincy Public School District 172 in Quincy, IL, for five years.

The board reviewed 31 completed applicants and conducted seven first-round interviews to select the three finalists. Once selected, the chosen candidate will be slated to start their role as superintendent on July 1, 2025.