Sigler Says Oak Creek Tenure Has Been 'Tremendous Ride'

It was just that time for Principal Paul Sigler.

Time, that is, to end his tenure here and head to warmer pastures in Arizona. The 2011-12 school year , who has spent 23 years in the Oak Creek-Franklin School District and 31 years total in education.

"It's been nothing but a tremendous ride for me," Sigler said during a recent interview with Oak Creek Patch. "I've learned a lot. I've grown a lot.

"Being in so many different roles and wearing so many different hats, I've loved all the experiences and I'll cherish that.

"Twenty-three years goes by pretty quickly. The school year goes by quickly. This last year is already going too fast. I just want everything to slow down, savor each day and enjoy my last year with the kids."

Prior to his arrival in Oak Creek in 1989, Sigler spent eight years combined in Sauk Prairie and Barneveld. He taught physical education and health and worked with at-risk children before getting a master's degree at the University of Wisconsin and moving into administrative roles.

Sigler hesitated moving into school administration at first because he feared getting too far away from students. "I'm not an office person," he says. But a friend encouraged him to take the athletic director role at Barneveld, and he's been an administrator ever since.

His first title in Oak Creek was that of associate junior-high principal. When the district implemented the sixth-through-eighth-grade middle school model and built , he became principal of .

He was then an assistant high school principal before taking over the top spot at OCHS.

Sigler said he considers himself lucky to work in Oak Creek for as long as he has.

"I've truly been blessed with an opportunity to work as an administrator in Oak Creek for that long," he said. "Every day I remind myself of that, how fortunate I've been to work in such a great school district, great community, working with great people and colleagues. I'll miss that."

Along the way, Oak Creek implemented many new programs, such as Project Lead the Way. It also increased Advanced Placement offerings, and registered . All the while, the district's enrollment steadily increased - and continues to rise.

But Sigler deflected credit, saying the achievements were part of a collaborative effort.

"It's not because of me. It's because of a team effort of administration and teachers and the kids," he said. "And the community – the parents have always been supportive."

Replacing Sigler will be assistant OCHS principal Michael Read, himself a longtime Oak Creek employee (19 years). Sigler and other school officials expect a smooth transition.

"He's going to continue to move the high school forward with the help of the administrative team and the teachers," Sigler said of Read, who couldn't be reached for this story.

"I think he's more than capable. I know he'll do a fantastic job."