The following statement was issued by the School District of Menomonee Falls on June 16.

Dr. Jack Magnuson, former Superintendent in the School District of Menomonee Falls, has passed away June 15 at 84 years old. Dr. Magnuson served as Superintendent of Schools from 1969 – 1988. During his tenure, the school district saw student enrollment decline. As a result he managed and implemented significant transitions to include going from two high schools to one and many other changes in school structure. Dr. Magnuson was a leader in metro-Milwaukee in implementing the student transfer program known as Chapter 220. Menomonee Falls continues to be a leader in the student transfer program.
Dr. Magnuson left high school before graduating in Stillwater, Minnesota to serve in the U. S. Marines during World War II. When he returned to his hometown after the war, he was tutored by his high school principal and an English teacher, and in Dr. Magnuson’s words “started my lifelong pursuit in education.” Dr. Magnuson continued his pursuit in education earning degrees from the University of Minnesota, Wisconsin State College – River Falls, and the University of Wisconsin. He continued his lifelong pursuit, becoming an English teacher, a High School Principal in Cathay, North Dakota, a district administrator in Maiden Rock and Elva-Strum, Wisconsin and beginning employment with the School District of Menomonee Falls as a business manager in 1960, an assistant superintendent in 1965 and in 1969 Superintendent of Schools. As Superintendent of the Menomonee Falls Schools, he developed the Adult High School Diploma Program in cooperation with Waukesha County Technical Institute. Dr. Magnuson lived by the philosophy that it is “what one does that counts, not when.” Each year while superintendent he hosted at least three graduation ceremonies in his office for adults from Menomonee Falls who completed one of WCTC’s adult high school diploma programs.
Superintendent Keith Marty stated, “While I did not have a chance to work directly with Dr. Magnuson, he was a wonderful mentor for Tom Joynt, Jim Shaw and myself. Dr. Magnuson was dedicated to all children before the concept became known. He is responsible for the quality education we have today in Menomonee Falls through his nineteen years as superintendent.”
Dr. Magnuson is survived by his wife, Mary Louise, and their three children.