On the fast track to summer
With Easter over it looks like we are now on the fast track to summer. Or if not summer at least to the end of the school year.
The spring sports season is under way. Triton has already had their Prom and Byron and Hayfield Proms are this weekend. Kasson-Mantorville Prom is scheduled for May 3. Then we will move quickly to awards programs and before we know it graduation will be here and the end of the school year, at least for students. Where did this school year go?
The summer of 2025, however, is shaping up to be a busy one for area school districts.
Three districts in the DCI coverage area will be welcoming new superintendents.
Kasson-Mantorville will welcome Beth Giese, currently the superintendent in the Kenyon-Wanamingo district, to the district as she takes over from Ted Ihns. She is no stranger to K-M however, as she began her teaching career in the district. Next door in Byron, Nate Walbruch will be taking over the superintendent position, replacing Dr. Mike Neubeck. Walbruch is currently the superintendent in Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted.
Triton will also be getting a new superintendent although it has been known for months that Triton High School Principal Luke Lutterman will begin his duties with the retirement of current superintendent Craig Schlichting.
All three will begin their new duties on July 1.
Kasson-Mantorville is also looking for a new elementary school principal as Courtney Frie is leaving that position to become the superintendent in the Plainview Elgin-Millville School District.
It will be especially busy in Byron because in addition to a new superintendent the district will also be making plans for a November levy referendum as the board works to improve the district’s financial situation.
It’s worth noting that virtually all schools in Minnesota are facing differing degrees of financial difficulties due to a variety of circumstances. All districts must have their preliminary budgets in place by the end of June, a task made even more difficult because of organizational delays in the Minnesota State Legislature at the beginning of the 2025 session.
Here at the DCI, we would like to say welcome to the new superintendents and look forward to working with you in the coming 2025-26 school year and beyond.