TYLER — There’s a new superintendent getting the feel of his desk at the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton School District office.

David Marlette of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, began his new post last week under the tutelage of outgoing Interim Superintendent Lee Warne who said he was going to help Marlette get settled a couple of days each week for a short term.

“I’m really excited to be back in the area,” Marlette said Thursday. “Having worked in the area for nine years previously, it was the height of my career.”

One of Marlette’s former positions was at the Tracy School District, which put him in touch with the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative (SWWC) based in Marshall.

Having been in the education field all his career life, it was no surprise that he missed it when he left the superintendent’s position.

He was at the Tracy School District from 2003-2011. Following that Marlette served as superintendent at Watertown-Mayer from 2011 through 2015.

“I still know tons of people from this area and remember many of the school administrators, too,” Marlette said. “That was one of the things that attracted me to this position. There was an opportunity to be close to where I wanted to be, so I decided to come back here. I love it.”

Beginning with the meet-and-greet with the RTR staff and school board prior to his interview to the standard interview questions the board asked, Marlette said he felt right at home.

Marlette said he was aware that RTR School District might want to pursue building a new school in the future, but he wasn’t afraid of that responsibility.

“I have a lot of experience in that area,” he said. “I know that is one of the issues that the board would like to investigate.”

Marlette received his bachelor of science degree from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, with a major in mathematics and minors in chemistry and physical education/health. He received his master’s degree in school district administration and his specialist degree in school district administration from University of South Dakota, Vermillion, which was handy to his childhood home in Redfield, South Dakota.

Marlette currently commutes from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he lives with his wife, Corrine.