Commitment to readying youth for life after high school earns SDR and community the spotlight as national role model

Those in the School District of Rhinelander know it’s something special, with its above-and-beyond efforts in preparing youth for life after high school. Others have been taking notice, too — most recently Julie Anixter, an author who lives part-time in Three Lakes.

Last Monday, Anixter published the first half of a two-part feature on SDR and its community partners, highlighting the synergy that’s readying Rhinelander students to embark on the rest of their lives. “Eric Burke and the Rhinelander Referendum: Role Models for Our Future – How a Wisconsin Community Ensures Students Get a Bigger Piece of the PIE (Part I)” is online for the world to see at https://substack.com/home/post/p-191053108.

According to an SDR press release, Anixter says she chose Rhinelander as the first published community role model in her larger research project, Role Models for Life, “because of its impact and relevance.” The feature explores how the SDR, local businesses, and community leaders have built a strong ecosystem focused on college and career readiness. It spotlights the leadership of superintendent Eric Burke and the long-standing partnership with Partners in Education (PIE), which for more than 15 years has connected the district with more than 60 local businesses to help students develop real-world skills and explore careers.

In Anixter’s feature, Burke reflects on how his background as a wrestling coach shapes his approach to leadership. “Being a former wrestling coach shaped the way I lead our district every day,” he told her. “In wrestling, you set clear goals, commit to disciplined preparation, and push yourself and your teammates to be just a little better than yesterday. That same mindset drives our work in Academic and Career Planning and everything we’re building as a school district.”

Also prominent in the profile is the 2024 community-approved $26 million capital improvement referendum, which is funding expanded technical education opportunities for students. The investment includes the development of a state-of-the-art automotive lab and expanded Fabrication (Fab) Lab facilities that will provide students with access to modern equipment aligned with industry standards.

Anixter’s research details how Rhinelander’s success reflects a community-wide commitment to preparing students for the future through collaboration between schools, businesses, parents, and civic leaders.

Programs highlighted in the story include:

• Mad Money, a financial literacy simulation for high school students

• Mini Business World, where students develop and pitch business ideas

• Careers on Wheels, introducing elementary students to career opportunities

• Job shadows and youth apprenticeships, providing hands-on career experience

The profile also highlights the district’s commitment to recognizing multiple pathways for students through traditions such as Senior Signing Day, where graduating seniors are celebrated whether they are heading to a four-year university, technical college, military service, apprenticeship, or directly into the workforce.

The profile concludes that Rhinelander’s model demonstrates what can happen when a community takes shared responsibility for preparing the next generation and offers this promise: When a community invests in its students, its future becomes stronger for everyone.

Community members interested in learning more about the SDR’s college and career readiness programs and business partnerships can visit the School District of Rhinelander at https://www.rhinelander.k12.wi.us/community/ and Partners in Education (PIE) at https://www.rhinelanderpie.com/.