Leaving RTR ‘in a strong position’
After spearheading school construction project, Marlette plans to retire in June
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TYLER -- David Marlette had been retired for a couple of years when he became superintendent of the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton School District. He would go on to spend nine years working with the district.
It's been a good experience because of the people, Marlette said Thursday. "This has just been an unbelievable community," he said.
Earlier this summer, Marlette told the RTR School Board that he plans to retire at the end of his current contract, in June 2027. On Thursday, he looked back on some of his experiences at RTR with the Independent.
Marlette grew up in the Redfield, South Dakota, area. He started his career in education as a math and science teacher.
"I really enjoyed the classroom, but I kind of always knew I wanted to get into administration. And I'm one of these guys, when I make up my mind, I go for it," Marlette said.
He went on to serve as superintendent for the Deuel, South Dakotya, Tracy, and Watertown-Mayer School Districts.
"Then my wife had decided to retire, and so I decided to retire, and we moved back to Sioux Falls," Marlette said.
A couple of years later, Lee Warne, then the interim superintendent at RTR, reached out to Marlette and encouraged him to come to the district. Marlette was hired as RTR superintendent in 2018.
One of the big challenges facing Marlette in the first few months of his new position was a $35 million building referendum, to construct a new school building replacing existing facilities in the cities of Russell, Tyler and Ruthton.
The lead-up to the building referendum included some contentious public meetings, and even a lawsuit being filed against the school district, alleging the building bond question violated RTR's consolidation plan. The lawsuit was later dropped, and the building referendum was passed by voters.
Marlette said he thought part of the success of the bond effort came from building trust with area residents.
"I think people know that I am very trustworthy, and that there's no smoke here. I tell it the way it is, and try and address the problems," he said. "They passed the bond, which was a positive, because we've got an absolutely fantastic building here."
The new RTR School in Tyler opened in 2021, at about $1 million under budget, Marlette said.
"I was very careful that we built it, and kept it under budget." The timing of the project helped, he said.
"We hit it perfect," Marlette said. "Prices hadn't gone up yet with COVID, and everything, the supplies and materials. It's unheard of, that we could build this facility for $35 million."
Marlette said the community at RTR has been one of the most positive parts of his work.
"It's the kids, number one. We've got the parents, the teachers - we have a staff that's second to none," he said.
Recruiting and retaining good teachers is a challenge for schools, Marlette said. He thought the challenges ahead for schools also included financial pressures from lack of funding, and expectations for schools to do more under unfunded mandates.
But Marlette said he still felt hopeful for the future of schools, because of the people who work there.
"I have watched teachers come to work every day because they care about kids. I have watched principals, support staff, coaches, parents and communities come together when children need them. And I have watched students overcome tremendous obstacles," Marlette said. "Public schools have one tremendous advantage that I hope we never lose. We believe every child deserves an opportunity, and we accept and take every child that walks through our doors."
Marlette said the success of a school district is never just one person's accomplishment. Schools succeed because of a community working together, he said.
Marlette said once he retires, he and his wife eventually plan to move closer to their children and grandchildren in the Sioux Falls area.
Marlette said the RTR School Board has decided to use the Minnesota School Board Association's search committee to conduct a search for a new superintendent. The search process will likely pick up later this fall, he said.
"I am most proud of leaving the RTR district in a strong position for the next generation of students," Marlette said. "High quality facilities are important, strong, stable finances are important, and outstanding programs are important. But ultimately what matters most is whether we have created a safe place with great opportunities for our young people."