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The Fall Creek School District in rural northwest Wisconsin
has fewer than 850 students. The team’s nickname may be
Crickets, but the sound they make is anything but **crickets**.
The district’s reputation has spread far and wide, thanks in
large part to the seemingly boundless energy and passion of
Superintendent Dr. Joe Sanfelippo.
Sanfelippo spends much of his summers traveling through the
Midwest and beyond, talking about the great things happening
in his school district—not to brag, but to spread the example
of how powerful it is for superintendents to share the great
things that are happening in their districts. Sanfelippo will kick
off IASA’s 53rd Annual Conference as the keynote speaker
on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 27.
“Talking about the great things happening in a school district
builds social capital,” Sanfelippo says. “At some point, things
are going to go south and if those are the only times people
hear about their school district, then that is all they are going
to talk about. Eighty percent of the voting public doesn’t have
kids in school. The best way to build trust is through visibility,
sharing and living your school experience with them.”
Sanfelippo’s path to the superintendency included being an
elementary school teacher, coach, counselor and elementary
By Michael Chamness
IASA Director of Communications
Dr. Joe Sanfelippo exudes passion and
energy when he spreads the good news
about the Fall Creek Crickets. Here he
tosses Cricket shirts to attendees.