Waukesha School Board Approves Hiring of Chief Information and Technology Officer

The Waukesha School Board unanimously approved Wednesday night the hiring of Jeffrey Nennig of West Bend as chief information and technology officer.

The position is “upgraded” from the position currently held by Bill Smovjer, director of technology and information services, who is retiring at the end of the year, according to Jack Bothwell, assistant superintendent for human resources/labor relations.

At the human resources committee meeting in discussion about the hiring, Bothwell said they were looking for a “strategic planning person.”

“Not just a technical person but also someone who can help determine how we’re going to bring technology into instruction,” Bothwell said.

In recommending Nennig, Bothwell noted in a letter to the Board that Nennig  is “unique in his focus on the larger target of student learning, not solely technology or infrastructure.”

Bothwell said that finding a candidate with both a background in technology and instruction was difficult but that they were able to find the right combination with Nennig.

School Board member Barbara Brzenk said that she was glad the district was able to recruit him. His “rich background” will make him an asset to the district, she said, noting that it’s been a difficult position to fill.

Nennig is currently the assistant superintendent of operations with the West Bend School District. Previously, he held administrator and director of technology positions with West Bend, Elmbrook and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in Houston, TX. He has a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Education and 33 graduate hours in educational leadership and administration.