Scott Johnson is new LCO Health Center administrator

The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians announced June 7 that they have named Scott Johnson as the new Lac Courte Oreilles Health Center director.

“Scott brings with him a wealth of administrative experience and a deep commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community,” The LCO Tribe announced. “His official start date will be June 10, 2024. Please join us in welcoming Scott to his new role and supporting him as he works to enhance our health services.”

Johnson replaced Gary Girard, who had served as the director for the past several years.

“At this time, we also wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Gary Girard, our outgoing Health Director. Gary’s dedication and hard work have greatly contributed to the progress and success of our Health Center. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Johnson has a long history of administrative duties, serving as a teacher, principal and school administrator for several school districts, including the LCO Ojibwe School, New Auburn and Siren. He first became the LCO School’s principal at the age of 25.

His most recent position was LCO Tribal Court Administrator, where he served since 2022, being hired just a week after his retirement from the New Auburn school district.

“The position of health care director has offered me a chance to take over thirty years of administrative experience in public education and put those skills to work in a different environment,” Johnson noted. “I will still be very much engaged in budgeting, personnel, policies, and other management responsibilities, but I am now able to apply those skills in the health care industry. New challenges have a way of recharging the battery, so I am feeling refreshed and energized to try and help my tribe in different ways.”

Johnson said he will pick up and take over the great work already accomplished by Dr. Girard, stating the Tribe has a great opportunity in the transition from one tribal member to another both having valuable administrative experience.

“Our goal is to provide the employees and programs with experienced leadership as we prepare for a new health care facility that will be opening soon.”

Johnson said he has toured the construction site several times since taking over. He also toured the site with the medical director, Dr. Malcom.

“We have been assured the new facility will be ready for a move-in by the beginning of February 2025, so that means we have a whole lot of planning in front of us to get ready for that event. On the outside, it is easy to see this going to be a beautiful facility. The inside is quickly turning into an impressive building that will house many departments. The concrete floors are all poured, the dry wall work and painting is already underway as each department is starting to take its own shape,” he explained.

Johnson said they are beginning the process of selecting furniture for the facility, and determining which medical equipment will be relocated and which will be purchased new.

A maintenance garage has been approved for construction Johnson stated.

“Best of all, the new facility is on schedule to be completed under budget.”

Johnson said he has been meeting with all departments and all employees to discuss the focus and vision our tribal governing board has expressed.

“We want our community to feel welcomed and helped when they are in need of health care services,” Johnson said. “We want our tribal community to know that we are here for them and we will do whatever we can to assist them with all of their needs. We are focusing our efforts on raising our level of expectations for excellence.”

It has been a challenging and rewarding first two weeks as the new health director, Johnson added. He said with nearly 120 employees scattered over nearly twenty departments, he has spent much of his time trying to meet everyone and become familiar with the priorities and needs in each department.

“I have been meeting with each department and the directors, the health advisory board, and the tribal governing board in an effort to get acclimated to my new surroundings,” Johnson said. “The employees have been very welcoming and helpful. I look forward to making a positive impact on our community health services.”

Johnson added, “my goal is to not only continue to provide excellent health services to our community, but also to place an emphasis on continually improving the public perception of our health center through improved communications and great customer service. We will continue to try to improve and expand on our health services to better meet our community’s needs.”

Throughout his several decades working in the Wisconsin school system, Scott Johnson has worn many hats. Among them: teacher, principal and superintendent.

He tried to retire in 2022, but his retirement lasted less than a week. Now, he serves as the Court Administrator for the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Tribe.

Johnson says that graduating from the education specialist in educational administration — superintendent/district administrator program, which is available completely online, at the University of Wisconsin-Superior has provided many opportunities for him.

“This degree gave me a license to work in a school, but it also really opened up my pathway for life,” he said.

College Inspiration

As one of six children, Johnson was raised in a traditional family of modest means. His father, Leonard, was a barber, and his mother, Darlene, was a homemaker. Johnson, along with his mother’s side of the family, is an enrolled member of the LCO Tribe.

After watching his older brother, Gary, attend college, Johnson knew that was the route for him, too.

“I just kind of followed my brother’s pathway,” he said.

Johnson attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he earned an undergraduate degree in physical education, with an additional coaching licensure. He planned to be a P.E. teacher. But life had other plans.

“Efforts were put in place to recruit Native American teachers to teach Native American students,” he explained. “I was hired at the LCO Ojibwe School, where I taught for four years at the elementary and secondary levels. Then, I was asked to be principal.”

Impressively, Johnson began his first principalship at just 25 years old. But he knew continuing his education was part of the gig.

Superintendent Path

Next, Johnson chose UW-Superior, where he earned his master’s degree in educational administration, with certification to be an elementary and secondary principal. This, completely online degree was a valuable tool for his career progression, which included several hops between teaching, assistant principalship and principalship jobs within Wisconsin.

Johnson’s UWS experience was ultimately life changing.

“One of the most important things I’ve ever learned was from Dr. Robert Krey at UWS,” Johnson said. “He taught me not to ever sacrifice my professional ethics to fit in. My personal motto, which stemmed from that, is to always put students first.”

Three years into serving as assistant principal at Hayward Middle School, Johnson earned the Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year Award, given through the State of Wisconsin. This was a pivotal moment for him.

“Receiving that award opened doors for me,” he said. “People started telling me I’d be a good superintendent. I decided to try my hand in superintendency in 2003 and enrolled in the education specialist — superintendent degree program at UWS.”

This online program — designed for educators who already hold a master’s degree in education and a principal’s license — can be completed in as few as 18 months.

Johnson worked as superintendent for the Siren, Wisconsin, school district for 12 years, and the New Auburn, Wisconsin, school district for seven years. He proudly shared that he was one of just two Native American superintendents in the state of Wisconsin.

As noted, Johnson retired from the public school system in 2022. However, his education, skills and experience remained in high demand. He accepted a position as LCO Tribal Court Administrator in 2022 and remains in that role today.

Additionally, Johnson serves on the Pardon and Forgiveness Committee for the LCO Tribe; a volunteer role helping Tribal members secure employment and housing.

Johnson and his wife, Michelle, live in Hayward. They share a blended family, including five adult children.

A Meaningful Career

Johnson’s career has been very personally rewarding.

“I enjoyed being able to follow students as they grew up,” he said. “Watching kids develop, grow and succeed is amazing.

“I’d also like to recognize all the wonderful people who touched my life throughout my career, including my college professors, colleagues, staff members, students, school board members and parents. I’d absolutely recommend this career path — and an education at UWS — to others. It’s a very rewarding education, and an even more rewarding career.”