MASA has named Tim Wald, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations of White Bear Lake Area Schools (WBLAS), the recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Central Office Leader Award. He received this award for exhibiting a willingness to risk, possessing strong communications skills, being a progressive change agent, and having high expectations for himself and others. Wald was honored for his leadership, concern for students, and active involvement in professional and community affairs at a statewide recognition ceremony during the MASA/MASE Spring Conference held virtually March 11-12, 2021.
“Tim has proven to be an outstanding and dedicated leader who is respected throughout our school district and beyond,” said Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak, Superintendent of White Bear Lake Area Schools. “Since day one, Tim has been well prepared to tackle the unique set of challenges facing our district and over the past three years he has clearly demonstrated that he is one of the top central office leaders in the State of Minnesota.”
Wald has served as Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations of WBLAS since 2017. Prior to his current role, he was a Principal and Assistant Principal in the WBLAS. Wald was also the Dean of Students for Northdale Middle School in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. He began his education career as a Social Studies Teacher at St. Odilia School in Shoreview, MN.
During his first year at WBLAS, Wald contributed to an effort that delivered an 80% yes vote on the district’s 2017 operating levy renewal. Throughout this process, Wald presented at meetings across the district and delivered constant communication to provide the information necessary to the community. The following year, Wald assisted in the creation of a district strategic plan. This planning process ultimately engaged more than 1,000 stakeholders, and the leadership team created a plan that is aspirational and catalyzing positive change for student learning in the district.
In 2019, Wald was a leader in the passage of the WBLAS’ $326 million bond referendum, the largest bond referendum in state history. Wald provided transparent and accurate financial data and engaged community members in vision and design processes. This bond referendum not only supports the district’s strategic plan efforts to personalize learning, but it also unifies the high school into one campus, a desire held by many in the WBLAS’ community for nearly 40 years.
In addition to serving as the district’s COVID Coordinator during the pandemic, Wald, along with district leadership, has upheld the commitment to deliver the projects promised in the 2019 bond referendum. He has participated in several hundred planning and design meetings to assure that the district delivers on the goals set in the strategic plan and the bond referendum. The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped the successful planning process at WBLAS, and construction is underway on seven projects, with several more scheduled to begin in spring 2021.
Wald is an active MASA member and currently serves on the MASA Legislative Finance Subcommittee. He is also an active member of the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA), Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD), White Bear Lake Rotary Club, and the North Star Youth Exchange.
Wald was the recipient of the 2013 MASSP High School Principal of the Year Award.
Wald earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and an Educational Specialist Degree from Minnesota State University-Mankato. He received a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Wald holds a Superintendent’s License from St. Mary’s University.
