Schools

Building on Experience, Passion

Rick Fechter is slated to become the next building and grounds director at the Menomonee Falls School District.

It’s the smile on a student’s face after receiving directions to a room. It’s the shiny floor in which he can see his face. It’s an exquisitely groomed hedge that looks just right.

Rick Fechter has enjoyed all this and more in more than 25 years in custodial and facility work, and now he has the chance to make an even bigger impact.
Fechter has been chosen to be Menomonee Falls School District’s next director of building and grounds.

Fechter served as the district’s building and grounds custodial supervisor for one year, and he’s thrilled to stay in Menomonee Falls.

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“I love the people in the district. I really have a good feeling about them,” he said.

Fechter started his career as a high school night-time custodian in West Bend. He was promoted to several positions including night custodial supervisor, groundskeeper and facility manager.

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He enjoys it all.

“I just love facility maintenance and management,” he said. “It gives me a lot of satisfaction.”

Beyond the tasks of cleaning, facility maintenance employees often play a major role in customer service. Students, staff, evening groups and community groups all interact with facility maintenance personnel.

“We support the learning environment in many ways,” said Fechter.

What those ways are change at a moment’s notice. But Fechter thrives on the fact no two days are the same.

“That’s what I like about the work,” he said.

Among several aspects the hiring team liked were Fechter’s deep and varied experience and education in the field, the several leadership positions he has held, his passion and strive to grow and learn, and his relationship building.

Fechter went back to school several years into his career. He holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and quality and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on general management, both from Marion University. He earned an associate’s degree in supervisory management from Moraine Park Technical College.

Fechter spent more than 20 years in the West Bend School District before two years as assistant director of maintenance and plant operations in Germantown.

In his new role, Fechter looks to budget creatively, strategically continue to develop the 25-year maintenance plan and to develop his staff.

“We’re already doing a lot of that and now I can do it on a bigger scale,” he said.

Fechter will take over Jan. 1 for Dwight Crouse, who is retiring after many years with the district.

Fechter lives in West Bend with his wife and their three children. In his spare time, Fechter enjoys riding his Harley, singing in his church band, fishing and rooting on the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers.


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