WCS and the WCS School Board of Trustees is excited to announce the selection of Melissa Kissling as the newest member of the Board of Trustees. The decision was finalized during the regular board meeting on January 20, following an open application process, a review of qualifications and interviews with three outstanding candidates.
The process began with an open call for applications, followed by a review of qualifications during an executive session on January 9 and interviews with three exceptional candidates on January 14. We sincerely thank each candidate for their time, preparation and passion for serving Warsaw Community Schools.
Kissling brings extensive experience in education, community involvement and board governance. Previously serving as the College & Career Connections Manager at Warsaw Community Schools, she has also contributed to the district’s success through her work in the front office at Madison Elementary. Beyond her professional roles, Kissling has actively served on various district-wide committees, including those focused on calendar planning, homework policies and redesigning school counseling. Her expertise in grant writing and school funding has been instrumental in advancing key district initiatives.
A long-time member of the Warsaw community, Kissling has an impressive history of board governance, having served on the boards of Tri Kappa, Presby Preschool, Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Aquatic Club. Her combined expertise in finance, marketing and policy development positions her as a strong advocate for continuous improvement and recruiting and retaining top talent within the district.
Kissling, a parent of two WCHS graduates, is deeply committed to preparing students for success and ensuring that all students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Her unique perspective and dedication to fostering student success make her a vital addition to the board.
Warsaw Community Schools also acknowledges the impressive strengths of the other two candidates who were part of the process:
Michael Gough: Gough’s corporate background in adult learning, training and compliance, combined with his data-driven decision-making approach, high-level systems perspective and dedication to fostering individual student success, makes him an inspiring advocate for education. His leadership experience includes serving on Zimmer Biomet’s corporate policy committee and as a Cub Scout leader, with priorities focused on student absenteeism, employee retention and strengthening college and career counseling programs.
Berto Nunez: Nunez, who initially participated in the process, chose to step out of the running after the interviews and just before the board meeting, citing concerns about time commitments and his desire to ensure he could be a valuable piece to the team. In his statement, he shared his gratitude for the opportunity and expressed appreciation for the dedication of the board and staff. Despite stepping aside, Nunez’s leadership experience in policy review and public relations, along with his focus on staff recruitment, enhancing the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program and fostering connections within the Hispanic community, remains a significant contribution to the district. He expressed hope to work with Warsaw Community Schools in the future.
Warsaw Community Schools extends its gratitude to all candidates who participated in the selection process. The School Board of Trustees hopes to be able to continue developing relationships with all board candidates and looks forward to their involvement with WCS in the future. Their collective strengths and commitment to education inspire confidence in the future of our district.
Kissling’s leadership priorities align closely with the district’s goals to foster growth and provide opportunities for every student. Her expertise and dedication will undoubtedly strengthen the district’s efforts to create a positive and supportive educational environment for all students.