Former Washington Community School District Superintendent Dr. Mike Jorgensen was voted 6-1 by the Highland School board Monday night to become the interim superintendent for the 2017-2018 school year. Jorgensen explains how he got involved with the Highland school district, “As I monitored the discussion that was taking place at Highland I knew that they were in a position where they were unsure of which direction they wanted to go in terms of the next superintendent. They talked about sharing, they talked about full-time. Being familiar with the district, and being familiar with the current superintendent, I offered for a year to assist them.”

Jorgensen talks about his plans as Highland’s interim superintendent, “What I intend to do is form a committee of teachers, community members, board representation, and get a recommendation from this group, after examining pros and cons of part time, shared, full time. Have that committee make a recommendation to the board for the next year, and then assist the board in terms of making that transition.”

Jorgensen served as Washington’s superintendent for six years, retiring in 2015. He previously served as Southeast Webster-Grand school district’s superintendent for 12 years.