Byron, K-M look to hire next superintendents

There will be a number of new faces running area school districts next school year, after numerous superintendents have announced their intentions of not coming back to their respective school districts.
Some are retiring from districts like Owatonna Superintendent Jeff Elstad and Triton Superintendent Craig Schlichting.
Others, however, are leaving under less positive circumstances.
Kasson-Mantorville Superintendent Ted Ihns is leaving the district, after beginning this past July amidst ongoing controversy including what appears to be a divided school board.
Byron Superintendent Mike Neubeck was asked to resign in an online petition by community members, and as the district looks to recover from financial issues. The district also failed to pass an operating levy referendum this past fall.
But regardless, school districts are looking for their next leader, and some natural choices have already indicated they aren’t interested.
“I have chosen not to apply for any superintendent openings at this time because of my deep appreciation for the Hayfield community,” Hayfield Superintendent Gregg Slaathaug wrote in an email. “My happiness in working with our students, staff, community, and school board makes me committed to continuing the important work we’re doing together.”
Schlichting, a longtime Triton educator who became superintendent following the retirement of Brett Joyce wrote “I am not currently planning on applying for any of those positions.”
“I am glad that Triton already has a new superintendent hired,” Schlichting wrote.
Schlichting last year announced his retirement from the district effective the end of the current school year.
The school board quickly hired current Triton High School Principal Luke Lutterman, who also graduated from Triton.
Neubeck, when reached for comment, declined to comment about his future plans.
Ihns did not respond to an email asking if he was considering applying for any open positions in the area.
Searches Begin
During its board meeting Tuesday night, the Byron School Board was expected to sign an agreement with the Minnesota School Board Association to conduct the search for the district, a common practice school districts use to conduct superintendent searches.
In an interview last week, School Board Chair Jeremy Aagard said from there, it is expected the board would have a planning meeting, to decide among other things, what the district would be looking for in its next superintendent.
While the district is currently sorting out its financial difficulties, Aagard said he? thinks it will be in a good position to find its next leader.
“I think we’re in a good position by the time we would hire somebody, we will be through any reductions that we would need we’ll have a good opportunity to promote the upcoming levy and the reasons behind it, so the new superintendent would come into, I don’t want to say a fresh clean slate, but they would come into a situation where they’re fully knowledgeable about where we stand, and I think it’s a good opportunity to pick us up and move us forward,” Aagard said.
Asked about looking for someone who has experience passing levies, Aagard said he doesn’t feel it’s necessary. “Dr. Neubeck came in without any experience and was instrumental in getting the $44 million building referendum passed.”
“So I think it’s just somebody that takes ownership in the district and is willing to go out and, and inform everybody of opportunities,” Aagard said.
He added: “ I think we just want somebody that’s well rounded, that’s a good fit for our culture and believes in Byron as much as we do.”
Asked where the K-M school district is with its process, Karlyn Peterson, a spokesperson for the district wrote “Superintendent Search info will be posted to our website as it is determined.”
The district, after approving the Minnesota School Board Association to do its search, is expected to have a planning meeting Friday, beginning at 2 p.m.
The MSBA was the organization used for the last superintendent search for the district.