Byron, K-M superintendents sign contracts
Searches for new superintendents in the Kasson-Mantorville and Byron school districts officially ended Monday night as new three-year contracts were signed in both districts.
Beth Giese, currently the superintendent in the Kenyon-Wanamingo school district will begin her job as the K-M superintendent on July 1 after signing her contract Monday.
Under the terms of her three-year contract, she will be paid $180,600 for the 2025-2026 contract year, $185,000 for 2026-2027 and $189,000 for 2027-2028. Additional compensation includes 25 days’ vacation and 12 paid holidays, health, hospitalization and dental insurance and eligibility to participate in a tax-sheltered annuity plan.
Giese will take over the superintendent position from Ted Ihns, who resigned earlier this year and will be leaving the district at the end of June.
The K-M district conducted a search for a new superintendent with the assistance of the Minnesota School Board Association. The MSBA reviewed the applications of 18 candidates. The K-M board members interviewed five semi-finalist candidates before narrowing the search to three individuals for second interviews.
Giese was interviewed and named the sole finalist on March 31.
In Byron, Nate Walbruch, currently the superintendent in Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted district also signed his contract Monday night.
Walbruch’s three-year-contract includes a salary of $170,000 for the 2025-2026 contract year, $175,000 for 2026-2027 and $180,000 for 2027-2028, Walbruch will also receive 25 days of vacation per year, 11 paid holidays, health, hospitalization and dental insurance, life insurance and eligibility for a tax-sheltered annuity plan.
Like K-M, the Byron district was assisted in the search for a new superintendent by the MSBA. The board interviewed five semifinalist candidates and chose three to call back for a second round of interviews. Two of the three candidates withdrew their applications before the second round of interviews and Walbruch was interviewed as the lone finalist on March 31.
Current Byron superintendent Dr. Mike Neubeck resigned the position earlier this year and will leave the position at the end of June.