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RTR School Board continues the search for a full-time superintendent

RUTHTON — To aid in the continued search for his own full-time replacement, interim superintendent Lee Warne suggested to the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton School Board Wednesday evening to hire the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) to spearhead the search. The board unanimously agreed.

“They would cost only $3,850, which is not much more than it would cost you if I did it,” Warne said. “They have a huge reach and know everybody in the state.”

Warne said that Sandy Gundlach is an MSBA trainer who would come out to train the board on how to conduct the search.

“I’ve been to the school board convention,” RTR Board member Pat O’Toole said. “They put on great workshops on this and on school board-superintendent relationships.”

Warne suggested holding the next meeting on Jan. 3 so that the training could begin.

“They would be able to come that evening and give an overview of the process, criteria timeline, developing an application process and a selection process,” Warne said. “They would post the position and take inquiry calls.”

Feb. 21 would be the application deadline, he said. The board could review applications at the next meeting and pick the top candidates. On Feb. 28, Gundlach would return to train on conducting interviews that could be scheduled in the first week of March.

“You could also set dates for followup interviews when she comes,” Warne said.

During the public comment portion of this meeting, district resident and proponent for school board transparency, Darwin Sietsema stood up to ask questions.

“When are you going to give answers about the (former superintendent Bruce) Houck situation?” Sietsema asked at this meeting as he had done at several in the past. “We need answers.”

“We’ve been advised by attorney, not to say anymore than we have (due to data privacy issues),” board chair Jeff Hansen said. “We cannot tell you any more. Have you asked SWEC (Southwest Education Cooperative)?”

Sietsema also wanted to know why Houck was escorted from RTR school property in 2016 and not allowed back, even though it has cost the school district a double salary through May 25, 2017, and a settlement of $190,000 to be released from any further financial obligation to SWEC.

Sietsema also inquired as to the recall election procedure according to state statutes. Warne said there is no recall election option. Only if a school board member did something patently illegal would the rest of the board members have an opportunity to vote to remove him/her. Warne also gave Sietsema a copy of the statute.

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