Democrat Joe Sheehan looks to get another government paycheck
Joe Sheehan has collected a government paycheck for nearly his entire life
SHEBOYGAN — The former Superintendent of the Sheboygan Area School District is looking to collect another government paycheck.
Joe Milton Sheehan, a Democrat, announced in April he would be running for the 26th Assembly District against Republican Amy Binsfeld.
After 27 years employed with the Sheboygan Area School District (SASD), Sheehan retired as Superintendent of Schools in June 2018. He had served in that role for 18 years. In the years leading up to his retirement, Sheehan’s annual salary was $155,000 and bumped up to $165,000 for the 2016-2017 school year. For the 2017-2018 school year, his salary was $175,000 according to the school district. That’s not including benefits like healthcare and pension.
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Immediately after retiring from SASD, Sheehan became the Executive Director of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC). It was a newly created $95,000 per year position that was created at just the right time for Sheehan to fill after retiring from the school district. After two and a half years, he retired again and left the SCEDC.
Sheehan’s run for the State Assembly in 2024 coincides with the Sheboygan Area School District’s referendum to raise property taxes by $122 million. If voters approve the referendum, property taxes on homes, apartments and storefronts will increase for the next 22 years. According to SASD, the increased funding is needed to tear down and rebuild Fransworth and remodel Urban Middle School.
As Superintendent of Schools, Sheehan was responsible for ensuring the schools were properly cared for. Instead, when Sheehan retired, he left the school district with aging school buildings with a long list of deferred maintenance. Because of Sheehan’s failed leadership and policies, the school district is back to asking voters to increase property taxes during a time of high inflation and great economic uncertainty.