POSTED: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 -- 4:15pm

"The closer it gets, the more real it gets."

On June 30th, Art Rainwater is stepping down as superintendent of the Madison Metropolitan School District.

It's a position the 65-year-old never expected to fill, in Madison or anywhere else.

"My only career goal was to be a high school football coach," says Rainwater.

He was in 1965. Rainwater's career kicked off in Arkansas. The teacher-coach then moved to Texas. Next, Rainwater took a principal job in Alabama. His path eventually led to administrative work in Missouri. Then, in 1994, Rainwater became deputy superintendent in Wisconsin's Capitol City.

"I've served at almost every level of the K-12 education system that you can serve," he says.

In 1998, he added interim superintendent to his resume, replacing Cheryl Wilhoyte. During her tenure the district hit plenty of road bumps. Tensions were high.

"I think there was a lot of dissatisfaction, across the community, with the school district, at that time," says Rainwater. "So, the damage control was pretty obvious, (it) was going to happen."

Rainwater came in with three immediate goals. Smooth things over with the teachers union. Repair the district's relationship with the UW. And, gain the support of the business community.

"I thought by doing those three things, it would put the new superintendent, in place, to come in and hit the ground running," he adds.

At that time, he was unaware he would become that new superintendent.

"We just reached a point where things had to change," he says.

Superintendents are hired, not elected like school board members.

At times, Rainwater's been accused of being too influential in the board's decisions.

In response, he says his job is to make professional recommendations and it's up to the board to act.

"Sometimes people misconstrue that because we're not at odds, with each other, that I'm controlling them or they're controlling me. No, that's how it's supposed to work if it's going right," comments Rainwater.

One battle Rainwater won't miss: crunching the numbers. He says state-imposed revenue caps have left deep gaps.

"We've reduced $60-million worth of services."

Still, he says the core of the district's curriculum has been spared.

"However, what I think about often is what we could be and that's what's the most frustrating, I think."

Another frustration: no four-year-old kindergarten program.

"I would give anything to be able to (have) found anything to do it," he says. "And, to be honest, to some extent, I blame our state legislature for that."

Rainwater says his greatest accomplishment, while in Madison, is a community reflection.

"I think the fact that we're a very successful school district, in terms of achievement, despite a really dramatic changing population," Rainwater says.

His biggest regret is also a mirror of society.

"I wish we would have started on changing student behavior earlier than we did. We're going in a good direction, but we didn't get as far as I would have liked," he adds.

Rainwater is responsible for 25,000 students and 6,500 employees in 53 buildings.

"The group of kids graduating this year were just four years old when I came here," he recalls.

The people is what Rainwater says he'll miss the most.

As for what the people will remember about him, he jokes, "Presidents of the United States have legacies. I'm not sure superintendents do?"

He says if he's remembered for leaving the district better than he found it, in his mind, that's a sign of success.

"There really hasn't been a single day where it hasn't been rewarding to be here and that's all you can ask for in your career," he remarks.

A career that started 43-years ago on a football field in small town Arkansas, and will end behind a desk in Wisconsin's second largest school system.

"Things went in a little bit different direction," he laughs.

Rainwater says Madison is home and this is where he'll stay. He looks forward to having Monday nights free from board meetings and spending more time with his family.

He also wants to give back some way to the education field.

Dan Nerad, whose served as superintendent of Green Bay Schools for the last seven years, takes over on July 1st.