He may be new to the role with the district, but you will likely recognize the new interim superintendent at Southern Door.

The district announced on Monday that Tony Klaubauf would be its interim superintendent. Klaubauf is a 1976 Southern Door High School graduate before he continued his education at UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, Marian College, and UW-Milwaukee. He served as a teacher at several districts including Stockbridge, Hillsboro, and Waupun before entering a more administrative role in Mishicot. Most recently, Klaubauf was the superintendent of Denmark School District where he served between 2004 and 2018. Klaubauf, a 2019 inductee into a Southern Door Alumni Hall of Fame, said in a statement that he was comfortable in retirement but the opportunity to help the district “continue to excel in academic achievement and student growth” was enough for him to return.

He takes on the role from Chris Peterson, who resigned earlier this summer following a multiple-month leave of absence. Southern Door School Board President Penny Price says nothing is set in stone, but they will likely begin the recruitment process for a new, permanent superintendent in January, seeking input from various groups, including district employees, parents, and community members. The goal would be for the new superintendent to begin in July 2024. Price added that the district is "fortunate to have Mr. Klaubauf on board who will also provide insight in the hiring process and transition to a superintendent."

Statement from Tony Klaubauf

“I had settled on the retirement life, but the opportunity to help Southern Door School District to continue to excel in academic achievement and student growth was enough to get me excited again. I read this summer that if a person wants to stay young, stay around young people. Since all the employees and students will be younger than me, this shouldn’t be a problem!”