HS principals reflect on time in PdC school district
Morris, Bennett resignations accepted at April school board meeting
By Steve Van Kooten
Doug Morris and Michael Bennett, the high school’s principal and assistant principal, submitted their resignations to the Prairie du Chien School District Board of Education, with both men leaving the district on June 30.
“I wish I had moved up here 25 years ago,” said Morris. “This is a wonderful community with great kids, and this is the most qualified and competent teaching staff I’ve seen in 30-some-odd years of education.”
Morris, a 10-year Marine Corps veteran, taught music and amphibious warfare during his service. He spent 25 years as a band director, played with jazz bands and orchestras, and published books and music.
“That was my life before I went into administration; I lived in the music world,” said Morris.
Morris took on a multitude of administrative roles in Texas school districts during his career, including campus administration, safety and security coordination and as the director of federal special programs. When he began looking at schools in Wisconsin to continue his career, Prairie du Chien’s staff made an indelible impression.
“Andy Banasik is 100 percent the reason I came here,” said Morris. “His love and passion for kids shined through.”
During an interview, Morris asked Banasik what area the district needed to work on the most.
“Andy turned to one of the teachers and said, ‘What do you think it is?’ And Ms. Breuer said, ‘We’re not reaching all of our kids.’ Of all the districts I talked to, they were the only ones to give a kid-centric answer.”
After that, it was academic: Morris canceled the rest of his interviews and became the principal of Prairie du Chien High School in 2022.
“The potential is wonderful here; we’re seeing growth academically, behaviorally, even attendance-wise. [In] every part, we’re making strides. We’re not there yet — certainly not — but we have made growth and progress in every area.”
He said the school’s average ACT score had improved by 1.7 points since 2022, students were succeeding in advanced placement classes and receiving awards for their academic performance.
Morris added, “We have wonderful kids here. It wouldn’t surprise me if a future king of the world was sitting here right now.”
Bennett said Morris was one of the reasons he moved from the Green Bay Area, where he was the principal of Kewaunee High School for four years.
“We do what we think is right by the kids in how we go about working with them, talking with them and building relationships with them. We had the same idea of how we wanted to do that.”
Bennett worked as a teacher for 13 years, then as administration in the Houston and Dallas areas before relocating to Wisconsin.
“I’m really grateful to work with everyone,” said Bennett. “Everyone welcomed me with open arms, and I appreciate that.”
Banasik credited the high school administration with fostering a welcoming atmosphere for parents and families. He also said Morris created consistency when the school needed it.
“He’s done great things for our district, for security and making connections with [the student body]. Two years in the district with us; we wish it could’ve been longer,” said Banasik.
Bennett said he plans to pursue opportunities in classroom management and education consulting. For Morris, the next step is to be closer to his family. His career path isn’t as clear.
“I don’t know. It’s got to be the right place. If it was something like this, I’d jump in a heartbeat. I wish I could bring Prairie with me to Texas.”
