MADISON — Mike Elliott, president of Edgewood High School since 2013, has notified the school’s Board of Trustees that he intends to retire from his role as president effective June 30, 2022.
In a statement to faculty, staff, students, and parents Monday (October 25) afternoon, Elliott said he came to the decision after many conversations with family and friends, careful thought, and many prayers.
“This was not an easy decision for me because I love Edgewood and our strong community,” Elliott said. “Together we have endured and accomplished much, and for that I am proud and will be forever thankful.”
Marykay Zimbrick, chair of the Edgewood High School Board of Trustees, said she and fellow Board members were grateful for the leadership Elliott has shown as president of Edgewood. “Through uncertain, often challenging times, Mike’s commitment to do what is best for Edgewood never wavered,” Zimbrick said. “He has worked hard with faculty, staff, students, parents, and trustees to keep Edgewood open and safe while providing a quality educational experience.”
Zimbrick said Elliott has agreed to stay with the school after he steps down as president next June, focusing on development of major gifts and oversight of the Commons building project, set to begin in early 2022.
“We are grateful that we will continue to benefit from Mike’s dedication and leadership,” Zimbrick said.
When Elliott was named President nearly 10 years ago, he brought to Edgewood a lifetime of knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for the school. A 1977 graduate of Edgewood, he and his wife Sue, Edgewood class of 1978, have three daughters, all of whom are proud alumnae of Edgewood. He previously had served on the school’s Board of Trustees and as chair of the board.
“Throughout his time as president, Mike has shown to be a man who lives his faith every day,” Zimbrick said. “He has shown remarkable dedication to the mission of the school and the Sinsinawan Dominican values of Truth, Compassion, Justice, Community and Partnership. He is well respected in the Madison Catholic school community and the Badger Conference.”
As President, Elliott has overseen many changes. Early in his tenure, he envisioned a transformation of the physical campus, including the antiquated HVAC system and providing better accessibility. His efforts have been nothing short of miraculous. Through his tireless efforts, he raised over $23 million to fund the construction of the new McKinley Performing Arts Center; the installation of the school’s first elevator system; the modernization of the athletic field; creation of the Lance Johnson Athletic Training Facility; new officials locker rooms; the dance team studio and athletic offices; remodeling of the John and Jeanne Flesch Student Services center, library, Learning Resource Center and food service area; the Ken Ballweg administrative offices; the Edgewood Campus School wing; as well as painting and updating in classrooms, hallways and teachers’ lounges.
Plans are underway to remodel the commons area, which will provide a welcoming entrance to the school, an athletic hall of fame area, lunchroom space, additional student study space, and another elevator.
Elliott also believed that an important component needed to achieve greatness as a school was to create accessible, affordable private education for families. Over the past 10 years, over $7 million has been awarded in financial aid allowing many families the gift of an Edgewood education.
Elliott, in concert with Business Manager Tami Holmquist and retired Principal Beth Steffen, reestablished the faculty staff wage scale to attract and maintain the best of the best to teach and work at Edgewood.
Each year Elliott extended an offer to every freshman parent for a one-on-one meeting, in part because he believed the best ideas came from someone looking at things from a new and different angle.
“I wanted to make a major contribution while at Edgewood,” Elliott said. “I wanted to make sure when I left that the school was in a better place than when I came. Thanks to the generous Edgewood community, I feel good about where we are.”