New superintendent wants ‘best education for every child’

David Lodes brings 35 years of experience to job

By Brian T. Olszewski
Catholic Herald Staff

MILWAUKEE — After 35 years in the public school system, David Lodes has returned to his educational roots. An alumnus of St. Ann Parochial School in St. Anna, Lodes became superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Oct. 19.

“Catholic schools were looked at in my background not only as the place that provided the education of faith, the transferring of faith, but quite often smaller facilities and individualized attention,” he said. “There was heavy emphasis on the academics and a focus on developing the whole person.”

Interviewed by your Catholic Herald on his first day of work, Oct. 22, Lodes noted that when he retired in June as superintendent of the Arrowhead School District, he did so with the intention of moving into another area.

“I always felt there was a bigger calling, a bigger cause so to speak,” said Lodes, 57. “I was anxious to do something different, something that had a bigger meaning in terms of the difference one could make.”

Besides 14 years as superintendent in a district that grew from 800 to 2,300 students during his tenure, Lodes served as principal of the Arrowhead High School north campus for five years, and taught high school science for 20 years. That experience shaped his educational philosophy.

“Every child deserves the best education based on their skills,” he said. “There might be more kids, there might be more programs, but you’ll still be working toward that goal — that every child gets the best education.”

Charles “Chuck” Allison IV, director of archdiocesan schools, who brought an extensive business background to the schools’ office earlier this year, termed the combination of Lodes’ education background with his business background “exciting.”

“Dave provides another anchor, a foundation (in this office),” Allison said. “This is an opportunity for us to complement the needs out there.”

Noting that part of being an educator is being a salesperson, Lodes said he is looking forward to letting “people know of the quality product that Catholic schools provide in developing high expectations in the Catholic schools, and that people will subscribe to it and send their children to it.”

He looks forward to promoting the Catholic education initiatives that are part of the $105 million Faith In Our Future capital campaign that the archdiocese launched last weekend. The one he mentioned most was the centers of excellence, scheduled to receive $6.85 million and which are designed to strengthen accreditation standards, enhance academic performance, provide professional development for teachers and to expand marketing of the schools.

“You have the initiatives, the centers for excellence. Everyone has pulled together and said, ‘We need to do something,’” he said about his enthusiasm for being superintendent. “Then we have an archbishop that is a strong advocate for Catholic schools, so the leadership is a great promoter of the schools. This is a great opportunity to be a part of it, to use my skills.”

Lodes, who holds a doctorate in education administration from Marquette University, described himself as a “hands-on type administrator” and “very accessible.”

“My door is open. My phone is on. When I’m in my office, I pick up the phone,” he said, noting that he is anxious to visit schools and to meet with their boards.

“I have a very strong knowledge base and multiple experiences in my background,” Lodes added. “I have a ‘Try not to say no attitude,’ am very willing to listen, and an ability to work with people.”

Lodes and his wife, Mary, parents of two children, Matthew and Katie, are members of St. Anthony on the Lake Parish, Pewaukee.

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