Dr. Holly Prast will succeed Dr. Robert Mayfield as the superintendent of the Kimberly Area School District, Oct. 15, 2024. (Photo courtesy: KASD)
KIMBERLY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The superintendent of the Kimberly Area School District will retire at the end of this school year, with the assistant superintendent named as his successor.
The news was announced at KASD’s Board of Education meeting Monday night.
After 32 years of service, Dr. Robert Mayfield is set to retire at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. Replacing him will be Dr. Holly Prast, who has been KASD’s assistant superintendent for the past 11 years. Prior to that, she held leadership positions with the Oshkosh Area School District.
“With a rich background in educational leadership and a proven commitment to student success, I have confidence Dr. Prast will continue leading the District toward excellence and growth,” Mary Pribbenow, president of the KASD Board of Education, said in a news release.
Dr. Prast earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UW-Green Bay, a Master of Educational Administration degree from Marian College and a Doctoral degree from Cardinal Stritch University. She was previously named Wisconsin State Reading Administrator of the Year.
In a statement, Prast said she is looking forward to her new role with the district.
The Kimberly Area School District has a long-standing reputation of excellence. I am honored that the Board has selected me to continue working with our students, families, administrators, teachers, staff and community to maintain our excellence, and build upon it moving forward. My goal will be to foster a culture where students see the connection between themselves, their experiences here in KASD, and the world beyond our doors. I look forward to serving our Papermaker Community in this new role.
Mayfield’s full retirement letter, which he presented to the Board of Education at the start of the school year, is below.
Dear Kimberly Area School District Board of Education,
After 32 years of dedicated service to our community, I have made the decision to retire, effective July 1, 2025.
This community has been more than just a workplace; it has been my home and a special place to raise a family. I am incredibly grateful for the support and opportunities this community has provided.
I want to express my sincere appreciation to the School Board for their unwavering support and commitment to our students. Together, we have implemented continuous improvement initiatives that have fostered a culture of growth and progress within the District. I am proud to know that we are the highest performing district in the area and known as a top district across the state.
Balancing academics, arts, and athletics has been a core value of mine. I am incredibly proud of our collective efforts to create a well-rounded educational experience for our students. Their achievements far surpass my expectations, and I am constantly inspired by their dedication to service and their communities.
The heart of any successful school district is its dedicated staff. I have had the privilege of overseeing the hiring and development of hundreds of exceptional educators and administrators. These relationships have been incredibly rewarding, and I am eternally grateful for their commitment to our students and families.
I am excited to embark on this new chapter of my life, but I remain fully committed to supporting the District’s continued success throughout this upcoming school year.
Forever a Papermaker,
Robert S. Mayfield, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Kimberly Area School District
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