Dr. Eric Witges is Kiwanis guest speaker

HARRISBURG - Harrisburg Kiwanis met on Wednesday, June 23 at Morello's.

At the weekly noon meeting, Dr. Eric Witges, new Harrisburg Unit 3 School District superintendent, gave a presentation.

He began with a quick personal background, which started with a business degree. After making the decision to go back to school to pursue a career in education, Witges worked as principal at New Simpson Hill, assistant principal at East Side School and West Side School principal. He received his Doctorate in Education a year ago.

In December of 2020, Witges signed a 5-year contract as superintendent of Harrisburg Unit 3 beginning July 1, 2022 upon retirement of the current superintendent Mike Gauch.

Witges believes that early childhood education is key to success in school. That is why he is so excited about the new pre-K building that will be built near the middle school on district-owned property. It will contain seven to eight classrooms and areas for ancillary services.

Important aspects of a good educational system include a positive work environment, attracting the best staff and faculty, and developing relationships with the community. Students, staff and community are priorities.

"It's we, teamwork" according to Witges. In the new school year, two agriculture classes have been added along with a construction class as the district is beginning to bring back more trades classes. Additionally, the high school has partnered with the RISE program which offers remote opportunities for students who wish to take classes not offered in the district. Witges will be shadowing Superintendent Gauch through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.