Kohler's Lexmond Tapped as Shorewood's Next School Chief

After a four-month search, school officials announced Martin Lexmond will take over as superintendent of the Shorewood School District this summer.

“It is truly humbling to have an opportunity to serve the Shorewood community. Shorewood is known and respected for its commitment to student excellence,” Lexmond said in a prepared statement issued by the district. “I am excited to lead a team with such an enthusiasm for the education of its children.”

Lexmond, superintendent and principal at Kohler Public Schools for the past two years, beat out current Principal Kirk Juffer for the post. He'll take over as head of Shorewood schools on July 1.

Lexmond has previously been the director of curriculum and instruction as well as the director of the Department of School Innovation at Milwaukee Public Schools. He also taught in Denver, CO, and was an assistant principal and teacher at MPS. Lexmond’s 2012 salary with Kohler is $151,800, according to his application.

He comes from a small school district serving 600 students, according to the district’s website. Shorewood serves roughly 2,000 students.

The School Board will officially formalize and approve Lexmond's contract with the district at a future meeting.

Current superintendent Blane McCann has served as superintendent of the Shorewood School District since August 2003, with a final annual salary of $152,250. , which stirred up controversy in the village, after some parents and residents crowded a School Board meeting the day after and .

McCann maintained it is time for him to “move forward,” and board members insist the allegations were false and that McCann's choice to retire was his own.

Shortly after, school officials for a new superintendent.

Next year, .

, according to a separation agreement with the school district.

The district is holding a “goodbye and goodluck reception” for McCann on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m., in the front lobby, 1701 E. Capitol Dr.