Jon Hess Hired as the Campbellsport High & Middle School Principal

Jon Hess has been hired as the new Campbellsport High & Middle School Principal after beginning his career as a middle and high school science teacher, spending one year in the Kettle Moraine School District and five years in the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District.
Over the past nine years, Hess has served as a middle and high school principal and as an administrative athletic director in the School District of Gilman for four years, before spending the last five years as principal of Howards Grove High School.
In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Hess has been actively involved in coaching and various school committees, most recently serving as the varsity head football coach at Howards Grove High School.
Hess was born and raised in West Bend, Wisconsin, and is the youngest of three children; his parents and siblings all live in the West Bend area.

“The opportunity to be part of a close-knit community where relationships matter is what appealed to me about the Campbellsport principal job,” said Campbellsport High & Middle School Principal Jon Hess. “Throughout the interview process, I was impressed by the pride people have in their schools and the commitment of the staff, families and community to help our students succeed.”
“This aligned with my values as an educational leader, as I was looking for a district where I could build strong connections, support both students and staff and work collaboratively to continue the great things already happening. Campbellsport is a place where I feel I can make a meaningful impact while becoming part of the community,” said Hess.
“My first impression is that Campbellsport is a welcoming, supportive community that takes great pride in its schools,” said Hess. “I’ve already seen a strong commitment to our students from our staff, families, community members and local businesses. I look forward to working collaboratively to build on the district’s many strengths.”
Hess’ initial goal is to build strong relationships with students, staff, families and the community while gaining a thorough understanding of the district’s strengths, traditions and opportunities for growth.
“Through this process, I hope to develop positive partnerships and open lines of communication as we work collectively to support our students best,” said Hess.
Over the long term, Hess hopes to foster a culture of continuous improvement that supports high levels of academic achievement, student well-being and meaningful opportunities for every student to succeed in and out of the classroom.
“I believe one of my greatest strengths is building positive relationships based on trust, communication and collaboration,” said Hess. “I also bring a student-centered approach to leadership, a commitment to continuous improvement and a focus on supporting both staff and students in achieving their full potential.”
Students and families can expect Hess to be visible, approachable and committed to open communication.
They can also expect a principal who listens, values collaboration and is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment where every student has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.
Hess believes a well-rounded education is essential to preparing students for success beyond high school, with strong academics providing the foundation for learning, while arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities help students develop leadership, teamwork, creativity, resilience and a sense of belonging.
“Together, these experiences support the growth of the whole child,” said Hess.
“I believe a principal’s primary responsibility is to create a positive, safe, supportive learning environment where students and staff can thrive,” said Hess. “A principal should be a visible leader who builds strong relationships, supports high-quality teaching and learning, and works collaboratively with families and the community to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.”