By Craig Marx, Editor

Come late June this year, the Antigo community will be without the services of one of its most dedicated educational overseers. Brian Misfeldt, the school administrator for the Unified School of Antigo, is leaving the district after nine years to accept an administrative position with the Bloomer School District.

Hailing from Chippewa Falls, roughly 15 miles away from where he will assume his new position, Misfeldt came to Antigo after graduating from UW-Eau Claire and attending graduate classes at Viterbo University. Accepting a social studies teaching position in the Antigo district, Misfeldt immediately identified with the Antigo community.

“I was looking for a job after college and after evaluating a few districts, I decided Antigo was going to be a good fit,” the 33-year old administrator said. “I’ve been lucky here in Antigo. I thought [administrative work] would be something that would open up maybe a decade later, but each position that has opened up for me has given me an opportunity to jump at.”

After making the transition from teaching to his current administrative role, Misfeldt says the difference in daily routine has been the most difficult attribute to adapt to.

“Balancing the activities of the day was probably the hardest thing to get use to. When you’re a teacher, your day tends to be structured. Time management was something I learned quickly,” Misfeldt said.

Over the course of his tenure in the Antigo community, Misfeldt has seen the positives aspects of a small town such as this and its open-armed acceptance.

“I feel blessed,” he said. “Antigo is such a supportive, welcoming community. I never felt like an outsider from the time I arrived. I think there are a lot of people here that are willing to invest in the school district. There are very dedicated individuals and groups that are a part of this community.”

As Antigo undergoes trying times in its educational realm, particularly with the upcoming school board elections, proposed consolidation plans, and now the departure of its school administrator at the end of the school year, Misfeldt has learned that a healthy relationship between a school district and the community is essential.

“The community and the school district rely on each other. One can’t operate independently from the other. In order to move forward, the community and the district need to work together. I’ve learned that I can only be as good as my staff, and I think our teachers and administrative staff are second to none,” Misfeldt said.

Misfeldt’s last day with the district is June 28 before moving on to Bloomer, a community that he has been acquainted with since his childhood. As he leaves Antigo for familiar territory, Misfeldt has found a surrogate home here along the way.

“I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with the Antigo community. I want to thank everyone for the chance to grow both personally and professionally in my time here. It was a difficult decision, but I consider the Antigo area part of my home. I look forward to the new job, but I’ve met a lot of great, great people in Antigo that truly believe in creating a safe and caring learning environment for our students. I am confident in this district and the community heading into the future,” Misfeldt said in closing.