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Joel Burgener. (Courtesy Stevens Point Area Public Schools)

School board hires new principal for Ben Franklin

By Brandi Makuski

Ben Franklin Jr. High will have a new principal in July.

The Stevens Point Area Public School Board on Monday unanimously approved hiring Joel Burgener as the new principal for the city’s southernmost public junior high. The Board discussed the matter during a closed session meeting on May 10 prior to voting in open session.

Burgener was chosen from a “competitive slate of candidates,” according to the Board, and brings over 16 years of teaching and educational leadership experience to the position.

Burgener has been an assistant principal at Edison Middle School in Champaign, Ill., since 2019. He has experience as an administrator, teaching and learning coordinator, science teacher, and coach.

“His passion for students and commitment to their academic and personal development is evident in his past and present work,” a news release from the district reads in part.

“I am humbled by this opportunity and take seriously the responsibility of supporting the hard-working staff and students of Ben Franklin to meet not only the school’s goals, but the individual goals of the students,” Burgener said. “These students are our future leaders, teachers, and neighbors.”

Burgener will take over when Principal Steve Prokop retires at the end of June.