--- ## author: ASHLEY M WINTER date: D:20260824122700Z --- ## Agenda Item: _________ ## AGENDA SECTION: _____________________________________________________ ## ITEM: _____________________________________________________ ## COMMENTS BY: _____________________________________________________ 2 ## Board of Education Regular Meeting – August 24, 2026 ## Wayzata Public Schools August 2026 Employees of the Month ## Josh Mahowald ## Technology Department The Technology Department is very proud to honor and recognize Josh Mahowald as the August 2026 Employee of the Month. Josh’s work is a testament to our core purpose: to serve our staff, students, and families by supporting the delivery of excellence in student learning and daily experiences. Josh’s impact on Wayzata Public Schools spans an impressive 22-year tenure. Beginning as a Program Assistant and evolving into his current role as an Information Systems Specialist, Josh has developed a profound institutional knowledge that serves as a cornerstone for our department. Most recently, Josh’s leadership and technical expertise were pivotal during the district's 18-month HR, Finance, and Payroll system upgrade. His depth of knowledge, combined with his ability to collaborate effectively across departments, turned a complex migration into a success, delivering meaningful improvements that positively impacted staff district-wide. Reflecting on the successful launch, leadership noted that Josh’s “consistent project management, high levels of accountability, and dedication to excellence” were instrumental to the project's success. Josh consistently demonstrates a commitment to Responsive & Effective Service and Support. His masterful redesign of our helpdesk workflow automations transformed critical processes like Onboarding, Offboarding, and Leave of Absence into efficient, task-based systems and his work standardizing district attendance letters directly enhanced the environment for our staff and students. The impact of Josh’s service is perhaps best reflected in the heartfelt feedback he receives from his colleagues. When reviewing feedback from those he serves, Josh consistently receives notes saying, "You made my day," "You are awesome," or ## Recognitions Employees of the Month ## Robb Virgin, Superintendent "I could not have done this without your support." These consistent responses are a testament to the care and dedication he brings to our district every day. Beyond his technical accomplishments, Josh consistently exemplifies the highest level of personal integrity, deeply aligned with our core values. His intrinsic drive to seek and deliver excellence is the standard in all his work. Whether he is tackling technology system redesigns or supporting daily operations, Josh truly goes above and beyond, serving as a valuable and consistent anchor in our culture of high performance and community care. Congratulations to Josh for being named the August Employee of the Month! We are grateful for your dedication and the positive impact you make each day.