Lincoln School Principal Making the Move to High School

Lincoln Elementary School Principal Eric Burke was hired Monday as the new principal of Port  Washington High School.

Burke, the only internal candidate for the job, went through two interviews with an 11-member hiring team.

After a holding a closed session to discuss Burke's qualifications, the School Board unanimously decided he was the right person for the job.  

“He couldn’t be more highly recommended by a single member of the committee,” said board member Sara McCutcheon, who was part of the hiring team.

Burke had spent several years teaching in the Port Washington-Saukville district before spending a year teaching in the Milwaukee County suburb of Franklin. He then returned to the area as the assistant principal and athletic director for Port High School for three years, before moving to Lincoln Elementary, where he has been principal for three years.

Board President Patty Ruth said Burke’s impressive interview made the decision to hire him an easy one. Ruth said that Burke hit on all the specifics that the committee was looking for, like his emphasis on a professional learning community, developing teacher-student relationships, and working with every class in the high school.  

Additionally, McCutcheon stressed that having an internal candidate was advantageous to to the high school.   

“He knows the district,” she said.  “It’ll be a nice transition so we can continue to move along.”

Burke, who was unavailable for comment Monday, will begin July 1, and his position at Lincoln Elementary will be posted this week.  

Burke will replace high school Principal Duane Woelfel, who is stepping down to  become director of special services for the district.