School Pride
Dr. Paul Kaiser Takes on Westfield Washington Schools Superintendency
Photography Provided
Only two months after retiring from a 13-year tenure as superintendent of Beech Grove City Schools, Dr. Paul Kaiser was named the new superintendent of Westfield Washington Schools. With decades of leadership roles in education, and at the urging of his family, Kaiser found he couldn’t resist applying for and accepting the position. Since coming on board at the end of May, he is enthusiastic about learning what is great about the district, and what steps can be taken to make it even better.
No stranger to the district, Kaiser and his family lived in Westfield for 12 years during the time he held the position of assistant superintendent for Noblesville Schools. His two daughters attended Westfield Washington Schools, and participated in choirs and sports programs. Today, both have followed in Kaiser’s footsteps and are currently teachers.
An Indianapolis native, Kaiser cites several mentors who served as role models in his life. One was his high school coach, Jean Ancelet, whose encouragement spurred him on to be awarded a full-ride basketball scholarship to Ball State University from 1975 to 1979. However, he credits his college coach, Al Brown, as the influence that put him on the path to becoming an administrator.
“He set the foundation of where I am today when he took me aside my junior year and talked with me about being an administrator,” Kaiser says. “He told me I needed to look into it. I ended up staying at Ball State for a fifth year and getting a master’s degree.”
Kaiser began his career in education in 1980. His first job was at Haworth High School, just a few years before it merged with Kokomo High School. There he taught accounting, business law, business math, and introduction to business, and he also coached freshman basketball as well as freshman and junior-varsity baseball. From there he went to Monrovia High School and Eastern High School, coaching basketball in both places and serving as assistant principle at Eastern.
After returning to Ball State to get his principal and superintendent certifications and degrees, Kaiser left teaching and coaching, and focused on leadership roles. He spent 12 years in the Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township, including one year as assistant principal and 11 years as a principal. He spent his time at Noblesville Schools as assistant superintendent, and returned to Monrovia to lead the Monroe-Gregg School District as superintendent. From 2008 to 2021 he was superintendent of Beech Grove City Schools.
“I stepped into the superintendent job at Westfield Washington schools on May 26, with one week of the school year left,” Kaiser says. “I was able to get out to visit all nine buildings, and meet with all the principals and staff. I love the staff and the parents’ true dedication to academic excellence, and how much both groups care about kids. Westfield Washington is a great school system and I’m glad to be back. I want to meet parents face to face, to hear about the successes and what could be improved on. Any time they have a question or concern, I am glad to have them call my cell phone. Parents need to know that my staff and I are transparent and here for the kids.”
For more info on Westfield Washington Schools, visit wws.k12.in.us. Contact Dr. Paul Kaiser at 317-385-4912, or via email at kaiserp@wws.k12.in.us.