By Anita Todd
LAKE WALES – Freshly arrived and facing the challenge of her new position head on, Julie Conrad, the new Superintendent of the Lake Wales Charter School District, hasn’t slowed down since she pulled into town.
Having finished the third week of the school year, Conrad has already completed more than 55 one-on-one meetings with trustees, principals, staff, community members, city officials, faith leaders, and representatives of community organizations. She’s also visited all seven campuses at least three times and attended as many events as her schedule allows.
It’s a strong start to her 90-day plan, which centers on listening and learning.
“I am committed to being visible and approachable. Visibility creates stability,” Conrad said. “As I said at the Back to School Celebration and in my welcome letter to students, staff and families, we will be focused on safety, learning and academics, and engagement. Engagement is key.”
Though new to Lake Wales and Florida, Conrad has deep Southern roots. Born in Alabama, she moved to Wisconsin then back to Alabama where she graduated from Auburn University before moving back to Wisconsin. The daughter of an army aviator, she has spent more than 33 years in education in Wisconsin as a teacher, principal, administrator, and college professor, guided by her personal mantra: “building community through education.”
“Building community through education is not just a tagline, it is core to our success as a charter school system,” she explained. “I want us to look at it not as a system of charter schools but a charter school system.”
Conrad was selected from a highly qualified pool of applicants, and though her colleagues in Oshkosh were sad to see her go, they praised her impact.
“Her leadership and deep commitment have truly impacted our students and our operations,” wrote Oshkosh Area School District Superintendent Bryan Davis. “While we are sad to see her go, this is a remarkable and well-deserved opportunity for her professional growth, and allows her to be closer to her family in Florida. We extend our deepest gratitude for her service and wish her every success in her new role.”
In Oshkosh, Conrad played a pivotal role in passing the district’s $197.8 million facilities referendum, leading the planning process and helping secure voter support.
She’s bringing that same dedication to Lake Wales. In the second quarter of the school year, she plans to use insights from her first 90 days to define priorities for different stakeholder groups and complete a systemwide strategic plan by the end of the year.
“I want us to come together as a school district and all be pulling in one direction,” she said. “I don’t have an agenda but I definitely have a vision.”
By the fourth quarter, Conrad hopes to identify a unifying “shining star” for the district, while still celebrating the unique identities of each of the seven charter schools.
The move to Florida was a family decision as much as a professional one. “We were the only ones who weren’t here,” she laughed, noting that their adult son and his wife, along with her brother and sister and their families, all live nearby. She and her husband are settling in with their beloved Yorkie, while she also makes time for the beach, exercise, and her favorite workout, the barre method.
In her Back to School letter, Conrad wrote, “I am feeling tremendous pride and unity in our community. It is a privilege to be a part of it, and I am incredibly optimistic about all the great things we will achieve together this school year.”
Her optimism is contagious as she visits schools, chats with staff, and greets families. She encourages everyone to stop, say hello and introduce yourself.
“I am inviting all of you to be a part of a great school year,” she said. “Your support, whether you are volunteering, coming to events, or just staying in the know, makes all the difference.”
