LUXEMBURG, Wis. – Tyson Tlachac (pronounced “claw-hotch”), a Luxemburg native, has been named as the new principal of Luxemburg-Casco High School, starting in July. His appointment was approved by the district’s Board of Education at its May 15 meeting.

He will replace Troy Haws, who is retiring at the end of June following 30 years of service to the district.

“During the interview process, Mr. Tlachac demonstrated a keen understanding of both the instructional leadership and building leadership needed to be the principal of a successful high school,” says Jo-Ellen Fairbanks, Ph.D., Luxemburg-Casco superintendent. “The interview team felt that his prior experience and familiarity with the district made him the best fit for the position.”

Born and raised in Luxemburg, Tlachac is a 2003 graduate of L-C High School. His parents, Rod and Claire, live within a mile of the school, and he has a host of family and childhood friends still living in the community. Tlachac’s brother, Justin, is a physical education teacher at L-C Middle School, along with serving as defensive coordinator for the varsity football team and coaching the track team’s throwers.

“It’s appealing to come back home and be a Spartan again,” says Tlachac. “It’s a surreal feeling right now to know that I will be back working in my hometown.”

Tlachac has been an educator for the past 17 years, including a decade as the principal of Tenor High School in Milwaukee. Opened in 2005, Tenor was the first 3 + 1 school in the state of Wisconsin; its students complete four years of high-school classes in three years, then attend Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) at no cost in their fourth year. Students earn a certificate or technical diploma from MATC in a specific area of concentration, or credits towards a two- or four-year degree program.

As Tenor’s principal from 2012-21, Tlachac hired, supervised and evaluated staff members. He also oversaw the operational budget, administered all local and statewide assessments, created master and student schedules, and marketed the school.

Tlachac additionally served as the school’s athletic director from 2011-21, which saw him hire, supervise and evaluate all coaches.

He had begun at the school in August 2008 as a science teacher, working directly with high-school level students in both the classroom and laboratory.

Tlachac served as the school’s dean of students during the 2011-12 academic year before transitioning to the principal role.

“To reach success in education, the biggest things for me are culture, communication, collaboration and accountability,” says Tlachac. “Relationships are huge with me. I firmly believe that – with students, staff, families and community – the better relationships you have, the better the educational outcome is going to be for everybody.”

He also believes that his time in the classroom as a teacher serves him well in his administrative role, saying, “You understand what teachers go through on a daily basis – what type of supports they need to be successful and their challenges with students, parents and the curriculum. You’ve walked in their shoes.”

For the past three years, Tlachac has been the athletic and activities director at Racine St. Catherine’s High School. Among his duties was the hiring, supervision and evaluation of all coaches and activities supervisors; completion of playing schedules for the school’s athletic teams; transportation schedule creation; game management, including interactions with officials; development and monitoring of the annual athletics budget; and management of Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) requirements.

He has been a member of the WIAA Sportsmanship Committee since April 2022.

Tlachac, 39, received a bachelor’s degree in biology and life/environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2008. He later added a master’s degree from UWM in administrative leadership and supervision, and director of instruction.

He and his wife, Katybeth, have been married for 10 years. They have two daughters, Braelyn, 9, and Baileigh, 7.

“I want the L-C community to know that they’re getting a genuine person who cares and who is going to do everything possible to provide the best experience and education for their child,” Tlachac says. “Coming in, I want to develop strong relationships with the students, parents, staff and community – get to know them well and let them know me.”