Administrative shake-up at NR-S

During her superintendent's report at the school board's regular meeting on Monday, July 17, NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters announced administrative changes ahead of the 2023-24 school year.

She began by announcing that Avolt Baumbach, the district's high school principal since 2014, has been given a new title: "Coordinator."

Louters said his responsibilities will include district transportation, overseeing systemwide and state testing procedures, and acting as the district representative at IEP and 504 meetings, as well as teaching two social studies classes and one MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) class.

"That means a number of staff members assume responsibilities that align to the secondary program piece," said Louters at the meeting.

Natalie Becker, the district's elementary school principal, will take over the responsibility of formally evaluating all K-12 staff, and Louters herself will take over the handling of student discipline and will be the point of contact for families with high school students if they have issues or concerns.

Louters also said that Laura Hager, the middle school math teacher at NR-S, will take on the role of mentor, which means providing part-time mentor support to new staff, and that Nathan Jensen, who teaches elementary physical education, will be leading the district's data management team.

The shake-up of administrative responsibilities appears to be a result of the decision to have Baumbach teach social studies during the 2023-24 school year. That change was brought on by the "discharge for cause" of Matt Shaffer and the resignation of Julie Westrick, the school's two previous social studies teachers.

However, in an email response to the Transcript, Louters did not answer why the administrative changes were made or if they're only temporary.

The Transcript also asked Louters if Baumbach will keep his title of high school principal, and if she could outline the full NR-S administration and their titles for the coming school year.

"His title will be coordinator," responded Louters regarding Baumbach. "Our secondary students and parents will be receiving further communication regarding how to field their requests and needs shortly."

Meanwhile, board members also elected a president and vice president.

Among the board members was Kyle Alfstad, the newly elected school at-large district member from the at-large district.

The school board's president and vice president prior to Monday's board meeting were Mike Jacobson and Mike Schaefer, respectively.

Schaefer, who was leading the meeting in Jacobson's absence, nominated member Todd Allmaras to the position of president, and Allmaras was elected unanimously.

Allmaras then proceeded to lead the remainder of the meeting, and nominated Schaefer to retain his position of vice president, and he too was elected unanimously.

Before adjourning, school board members also heard from business manager Dave Skogen on the school's preliminary budget for the 2023-24 school year.

Skogen consistently expressed the preliminary nature of the budget, as there are multiple revenue aspects yet to be ironed out. Regarding expenses, however, Skogen said much of that is pretty well set.

The school board unanimously approved the relatively balanced preliminary budget, which has projected expenses at $5,020,816.63 and projected revenue at $5,034,379.97.

The school board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 14 at 7 p.m.