Burmaster praises
McPike’s service
McPike’s service
MADISON—State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster issued the following statement on Milt McPike’s
resignation from the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.
“My friend, and long-time colleague, Milt McPike has been a champion and leader for public education
in Wisconsin, as a Regent for almost four years and for 28 years in the Madison Metropolitan School
District. Thousands of Wisconsin citizens owe a debt of gratitude to Milt McPike. I know I do. As my
principal at Madison East High School when I was a 20-something choral teacher and drama director, Milt was
a mentor and supportive leader for creativity and the arts. I did my administrative internship with Milt, and
later we were colleagues as principals of Madison’s two oldest and largest high schools.
“Milt served as principal of Madison East High School for 23 years from 1979 to 2002. His leadership
reached across a racial divide, and brought young people and their parents together in transforming the school
culture. Through his personal example, thousands of students learned to overcome their fears around race, class,
gender, and disability by having an open heart and loving soul.
“Milt has been called a lot of things: a San Francisco 49’er, coach, husband, father, and grandfather. He
was named State Principal of the Year by his peers, won the Educator of the Year award from Wisconsin
Manufacturers and Commerce, and was named one of 10 “American Heroes in Education” by Reader’s Digest
in 1990. The East High School field house is named in his honor, and the Milt McPike Achievement Awards
annually provide a college scholarship and recognition of Madison graduating seniors with a strong academic
record, athletic performance, involvement in other school activities, and a positive attitude. For this giant of a
man no person or issue has been too small.”
resignation from the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.
“My friend, and long-time colleague, Milt McPike has been a champion and leader for public education
in Wisconsin, as a Regent for almost four years and for 28 years in the Madison Metropolitan School
District. Thousands of Wisconsin citizens owe a debt of gratitude to Milt McPike. I know I do. As my
principal at Madison East High School when I was a 20-something choral teacher and drama director, Milt was
a mentor and supportive leader for creativity and the arts. I did my administrative internship with Milt, and
later we were colleagues as principals of Madison’s two oldest and largest high schools.
“Milt served as principal of Madison East High School for 23 years from 1979 to 2002. His leadership
reached across a racial divide, and brought young people and their parents together in transforming the school
culture. Through his personal example, thousands of students learned to overcome their fears around race, class,
gender, and disability by having an open heart and loving soul.
“Milt has been called a lot of things: a San Francisco 49’er, coach, husband, father, and grandfather. He
was named State Principal of the Year by his peers, won the Educator of the Year award from Wisconsin
Manufacturers and Commerce, and was named one of 10 “American Heroes in Education” by Reader’s Digest
in 1990. The East High School field house is named in his honor, and the Milt McPike Achievement Awards
annually provide a college scholarship and recognition of Madison graduating seniors with a strong academic
record, athletic performance, involvement in other school activities, and a positive attitude. For this giant of a
man no person or issue has been too small.”
Milt McPike