School District of West Salem Administration
Ryan G. Rieber, Superintendent
Rieber stepped into this position in 2020 after serving as the principal at West Salem Elementary beginning in 2016. Prior to this, he served as the elementary principal at Viroqua Elementary/Montessori School for four years and taught in the La Crosse School District at Logan Middle School and at Southern Bluffs Elementary for eleven years. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Viterbo University, attaining principal and superintendent licensure. You may contact Mr. Rieber at rieber.ryan@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608)-786-0700.
Justin Jehn, High School Principal
Jehn joined West Salem High School in 2004, serving as a science teacher for ten years and also as an Instructional Coach prior to becoming the Associate Principal in 2018. He stepped into the role of High School Principal in 2024. Jehn earned both his bachelor's degree and master's degree from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and his administrative license from Viterbo University. You may contact Mr. Jehn at jehn.justin@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608)-786-1220.
Cody Braun, High School Associate Principal
Braun joined West Salem High School in 2024, beginning his service as the Associate Principal. Before entering the district, he served as a social studies teacher at Southport High School in Indiana (two years), and La Crescent-Hokah High School in Minnesota (six years). Braun earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and his master’s degree (including administrative licensure) from Ball State University. You may contact Mr. Braun at braun.cody@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608)-786-1220.
Ben Wopat, Middle School Principal
Wopat joined West Salem in 2015 after serving as the Dean of Students at Logan Middle School for three years. Wopat was a teacher at Logan High School for nine years prior to becoming an administrator. He earned a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. His principal licensure in educational leadership was completed at Viterbo University. You may contact Mr. Wopat at wopat.ben@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608)-786-2090.
Amanda Beld, Middle School Associate Principal
Beld joined West Salem in 2019 after teaching at both Onalaska Middle School and West Salem Middle School for sixteen years. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and her principal and director of instruction licensure from Viterbo University. You may contact Ms. Beld at beld.amanda@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608)-786-2090.
Alex Hubing, Elementary School Principal
Hubing joined West Salem in 2023 after serving as the principal at Lincoln Middle School, SOTA II and Coulee Montesorri for two years and the Dean of Students at Logan Middle School for two and a half years. Prior to this, he taught for seven years in the School District of Onalaska. Hubing earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and his master's degree in education from Viterbo University. You may contact Mr. Hubing at hubing.alex@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608) 786-1662.
Charlie A. Alexander, Elementary School Associate Principal
Alexander joined West Salem in 2022 after serving as a student success coach in the School District of La Crosse. He also spent eight years as a teacher at Lincoln Middle School and State Road Elementary School. Alexander earned a bachelor's degree from Viterbo University and a master's degree from Western Governor's University. You may contact Mr. Alexander at alexander.charlie@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608)-786-1662.
Crystal Becker, Director of Human Resources
Becker joined West Salem in 2021 after working six years between the School District of Onalaska and School District of La Crosse as the Payroll Assistant and Executive Assistant in Human Resources. She earned her bachelor's degree in Business Management in 2014 and earned her Master's in Business Administration in 2022 from Viterbo University. You may contact Mrs. Becker at becker.crystal@wsalem.k12.wi.us or 608-786-5302.
Craig Halvorson, Director of Technology
Halvorson joined West Salem in 2018. He has 18 years of experience in the field of technology, 13 of which were spent various positions with Ashley Furniture Industries, including as their Director of IT Global Support Services. Prior to this, he spent three years with Marine Credit Union as their IT Director. He earned his Associate's Degree in Applied Science from Western Technical College, and also holds ITIL Foundations V3 Certification. You may contact Mr. Halvorson at halvorson.craig@wsalem.k12.wi.us or at (608)-786-0700.
Shawn Handland, Director of Finance
Handland joined West Salem in 2017. He has 27 years of experience in the field of accounting of which 19 of those years were spent doing governmental accounting with the County of La Crosse. Prior to joining West Salem, he was the La Crosse County Treasurer. He earned his Bachelors of Accounting at Viterbo University and also has his Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Western Technical College. You may contact Mr. Handland at handland.shawn@wsalem.k12.wi.us or at 608-786-0700.
Alyssa Harlan, Director of Instruction
Harlan joined West Salem in 2017 as the District Literacy Specialist after serving as a middle school teacher in the School District of Onalaska and an elementary teacher in the Holmen School District. She stepped into the role of Director of Instruction in 2023. Harlan earned her bachelor's degree at Evangel University, her master's degree at Viterbo University, and her Director of Instruction licensure at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. You may contact Mrs. Harlan at harlan.alyssa@wsalem.k12.wi.us or 608-786-0700.
Heidi Horton, Director of Pupil Services
Horton stepped in as Director of Pupil Services in 2021 after serving as the school psychologist in West Salem for 12 years. She has also served as a school psychologist in the Hiawatha Education District and the School District of Onalaska. Horton earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, her master’s degree in school psychology and a certificate of advanced graduate study in school psychology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and her Director of Special Education and Pupil Services certification from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. You may contact Mrs. Horton at horton.heidi@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608)-786-1064.
Scott Johnson, Director of Buildings and Grounds
Johnson rejoined the district as Director of Buildings and Grounds in 2023 after serving as the Buildings and Grounds Manager and Safety Coordinator in the La Crosse School District for six years. Prior to this, he served as the Director of Buildings and Grounds in West Salem from 2013 to 2017 and as a Maintenance Technician from 2004-2013. Before joining West Salem, he worked as a HVAC/ R Service Technician and Installer with Ron Hammes Refrigeration in La Crosse from 1993 to 2004. Johnson received his Associates of Science degree from Viterbo University. You may contact Mr. Johnson at johnson.scott@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608) 786-0700.
Rick Kline, Director of Transportation
Kline joined West Salem in 2004 after working for Laidlaw Education Services in La Crosse, and Hundt Bus Company in Anoka, Minnesota. He started in the public transportation industry as a mechanic/driver in 1991 dedicating his entire career to the safe transportation of students. Mr. Kline attended WWTI in LaCrosse and received his degree in Diesel and Heavy Equipment, attended Management Training through Laidlaw Education Services and is an ASE Certified Master School Bus and Truck Technician. You may contact Mr. Kline at kline.rick@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608) 786-4356.
Emily Klunk, RDN, Director of School Nutrition
Klunk joined West Salem in 2020 after serving as the Clinical Dietitian at Covenant Village of Golden Valley in Minnesota for five years and a Corporate Dietitian at Reinhart Foodservice in La Crosse for six years. Klunk earned her bachelor's degree in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2008 and a Dietetic Internship from Viterbo University in 2010. You may contact Mrs. Klunk at
klunk.emily@wsalem.k12.wi.us or (608) 786-0700.