STANFORD — Olympia School District 16 didn’t have to look far to find its next superintendent. The Olympia School Board recently chose the District’s business and operations manager, Andrew Wise, as a replacement for Superintendent Brad Hutchison, who will retire at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Wise was chosen after a search was conducted by the Illinois Association of School Boards. He served as principal at two of the District’s elementary schools before moving to his current position, where he has served for five years. “In 2000, I was hired as the Principal at McLean-Waynesville Elementary School,” said Wise. “Before becoming the District’s business and operations manager, I also served at Olympia West Elementary School in Minier. While serving as Building Principal, I graduated with honors and earned my Ph. D from Illinois State University.” An Illinois native, Wise graduated from Peotone Community High School. “I graduated from Peotone Community Unit School District 207-U,” said Wise. “I worked for Peotone 207-U, while I attended Kankakee Community College. After graduating from KCC, I enrolled in the Teacher Education program at Illinois State University where I graduated with honors and a Bachelor’s Degree.” After graduating from ISU, Wise moved to Florida where he earned a master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. “My wife Kendra and I started a family in Florida and upon finishing my Master’s Degree, started to look for administrative positions in Illinois,” said Wise. “Both Kendra’s parents, and my parents, lived in Illinois and we wanted our children to have a strong relationship with their grandparents.” Wise started working for Olympia School District 16 shortly before Hutchison started working for the District. “He was hired just prior to me as Principal, so I’ve known him for 11 years,” said Hutchison. “We’ve worked very closely together over the last six or seven years, so it’s going to be a very smooth transition. I think Andrew is an excellent choice as my replacement.” A Delavan native, Hutchison has been the District’s superintendent for the past six years. He was the District’s curriculum and technology director for five years, before being appointed as superintendent. Before working for Olympia School District 16, Hutchison worked for Pekin School District 108, Pekin School District 303 and Delavan School District 703. “I’ve really enjoyed my time in public education,” said Hutchison. “It is a planned retirement and I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to do some volunteer work and spend a little more time with my family and travel.” Wise thinks Olympia School District 16 is “in good financial and academic standing.” “Olympia School District is blessed to have wonderful students, dedicated employees and a supportive community,” said Wise. The biggest task Wise will be assigned with as Superintendent will be “keeping the District in good fiscal standing.” “As Superintendent, my main goals will be to enhance the learning environment and keep the District in good fiscal standing,” said Wise. “In the past two years, we have experienced a two million dollar decrease in state and federal funding, out of a $20 million budget. “Due to the decreases in state and federal revenue, we are using our fund balances to cover state and federal shortcomings. If state and federal reductions continue, our district will need to make strategic reductions and pursue alternative revenue sources. Given the current fiscal climate, our fund balances could be depleted in a few years.” Wise was recently accepted into the Illinois School for Advanced Leadership through the Illinois Association of School Administrators. He lives in Danvers with his wife Kendra, son Austin and daughter Tayia. Both Austin and Tayia attend Olympia Middle School. Wise’s superintendent duties start July 1, 2013.