Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

June 1, 2011 Front Page

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Mohr retires after over 25 years with district

Neillsville High School Principal Allen Mohr poses at his desk Wednesday, June 22. Mohr spent 26 years with the district as a math teacher and later as principal.  Mohr will retire at the end of June. (Peter Spicer/Clark County Press photo)

By Peter Spicer

Neillsville High School Principal Allen Mohr will retire at the end of June after 26 years with the district.

Mohr, who is a lifelong Neillsville resident, graduated from Neillsville High School in 1968 and earned his bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education degree in professional development at UW-Eau Claire.  Mohr then earned his six-year degree from Winona State University in Winona, MN.

Although Mohr earned his teaching degree at UW-Eau Claire, he waited 13 years to begin his career in education.  Mohr spent 12 years as a math teacher and has been the high school principal for the past 14 years.

Mohr has seen many changes during his time at Neillsville and worked through tight budgets, downsizing and reduced state education funding.

During Mohr’s time as principal, the high school enrollment has dropped from 460 to 310.  He also worked to improve student test scores.

Mohr’s workload has increased over the years.  When he became principal, he was only the high school principal and had an assistant.  Mohr will retire as the high school and eight grade principal and does not have an assistant.

However, Mohr has enjoyed his career at Neillsville and credits the staff for its efforts.

“It’s been a great staff to work with,” Mohr explained.

Mohr has enjoyed watching the addition of science classrooms and the more recent construction of the Neillsville High School Fieldhouse during his career.

Mohr enjoys small towns, which has been a motivating factor to remain in Neillsville throughout the years.

“I just like the small town,” explained Mohr, who added smaller communities allow people to get to know each other.

"Wherever you go in town, there’s always someone to talk to, said Mohr, who joked he never did like big cities.”

Once Mohr retires, he plans to continue to focus on returning to good health and wants to spend time with family and relaxing.

“Al Mohr has been an integral part of the district’s leadership team for the past 14 years, and he has served students in our district for a total of 26 years,” said Neillsville Superintendent John Gaier.  “During that time, he has helped out district move forward in the areas of technology, professional collaboration, raising achievement standards and many other projects and programs that have helped support the students and staff members in our district.  I am truly grateful to him for all he has accomplished here.  He will be missed, but we all wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Mohr stated his biggest thrill as principal is watching high school students graduate and go on to become successful.