Whitefish Bay Bids Farewell to Superintendent Mary Gavigan

Whitefish Bay teachers, administrators and community members gathered to say goodbye to Superintendent Mary Gavigan Thursday afternoon.

After three years as superintendent, Gavigan is leaving the school district to become the executive director of CESA #1 – a state educational agency that partners with and provides educational services to 45 Milwaukee-area school districts.

At the farewell ceremony in the high school rotunda, School Board President Pam Woodard said Gavigan moved the district forward by developing a new district focus plan, advancing 21st century learning initiatives, partnering with community organizations and developing a district communications plan.

During her three years in office, Gavigan helped the district navigate Act 10, which reduced state funding to local school districts and impacted collective bargaining with district employees.

"Dr. Gavigan's integrity as an educator and administrator is admirable and we have been well served by it," Woodard said. "Her work ethic has been one of total committment to our district, working tirelessly to improve the quality of education for our students and keeping our district strong."

At the ceremony, Woodard presented Gavigan with an engraved glass plaque commemorating her three years of service to the Whitefish Bay School District. The members of the School Board also chipped in funds to make a donation in Gavigan's name to the Whitefish Bay Education Foundation.

Gavigan said she was overwhelmed with the board's gratitude, and thanked the School Board, district employees, students and community members for their commitment to the school district. She said she feels confident that Whitefish Bay will continue to be an exceptional place to learn, and she looks forward to continuing her involvement with the school district through her new role at CESA.

"I'm touched. I'm honored," Gavigan said. "I want to thank the board for the opportunity to be of service as superintendent to the School District of Whitefish Bay over the last three years. I wish all of the students, staff and the Whitefish Bay community all the very best."