K-M School Board selects new superintendent

The Kasson-Mantorville school board has named Theodore Ihns as the district’s next superintendent. Board members voted to offer the position to Ihns at a special board meeting last week contingent on a contract being reached. The contract was signed at a special board meeting on Tuesday night.
The contract is for three years, including the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 school years. It includes a salary of $172,000 for the first year with a five percent increase in each of the next two years.
Ihns, currently the superintendent of the Indianola Community Schools in Indianola, Iowa, and Jeremy Frie, superintendent of the Dover-Eyota Public Schools were chosen as finalists from a list of six candidates interviewed initially and they returned for a second round of interviews last Wednesday.
Each of the two finalists was asked to prepare a presentation on how they would present an operating levy proposal to the community and were also asked the same 20 questions by board members.
“Ted Ihns brings a wealth of experience and a proven record of outstanding leadership to the Kasson-Mantorville School District. His exceptional relationship skills and communication prowess exemplify the qualities we believe will drive our district’s continued success. We are confident that under Ted’s guidance, our commitment to excellence will thrive, fostering a positive and innovative learning environment for all,” said School Board Chair Kent Harfmann.
Ihns will start his new duties as superintendent on July 1.
Ihns has been with the Indianola district for 19 months. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Concordia College in St Paul. He has a master’s degree in educational leadership and K-12 principal and superintendent licenses from Winona State University.
In addition to several teaching assignments, he has been the assistant principal and dean of students in Farmington public schools, associate principal in Roseville, elementary principal in Inver Grove Heights, and superintendent of the Howard-Winneshiek Community Schools in Cresco, Iowa before taking the superintendent’s position in Indianola.
The search for a new superintendent began last year with the resignation of Supt. Mark Matuska shortly before the beginning of the 2023-24 school year.
In November 2023 the board began planning the search effort, adopting a timeline, reviewing hiring criteria, search procedures, market positioning, and stakeholder involvement.
A survey for district stakeholders was conducted in December and early January.
The Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) posted the job opening on December 19, 2023, with applications accepted until February 5. The board then reviewed candidates who were submitted to them by the MSBA and then conducted the in-person interviews.