By Lori Ehde
With Middle School Dave Deragisch's resignation on the agenda, the Luverne School Board met Thursday, Oct. 11, in a room packed with concerned teachers and parents.
They attended to voice concern over the direction of the middle school since current principal Dave Deragisch recently signed a contract with Hills-Beaver Creek for the superintendent position there.
"We're wondering where the position of middle school principal will be going. We're concerned about Dave Deragisch leaving. Are we going to be left without a middle school?" asked teacher Gordy Hansen, speaking on behalf of teachers and staff.
"We would like to be proactive and have our input. I guess I don't want to lose a principal, and I would like to see a counselor come back."
Hanson urged School Board members to visit the school and observe the role of middle school principal.
"I think you would see how important it is to have a principal and that some of the kids could benefit from a counselor."
Local parent Vicki Baartman read a prepared statement signed by a long list of community members.
"It (middle school) is an effective way of meeting the needs of students who are in those in-between years - not little kids but not mature and independent enough yet for high school," Baartman said.
"Some of you may feel our concern is premature; however, from previous budget discussions, we know there have been thoughts of administrative cuts.
"Now that Mr. Deragisch has accepted another position, we felt it necessary to state for the record ... we do not want the position rolled into an existing administrator's responsibilities."
School Board and administration respond
Board member Bill Stegemann said he was trying to remember when the board ever seriously discussed eliminating the middle school principal's position.
He noticed discussion in the May 10 board minutes about possible administrative cuts in light of trimming $400,000 from the budget.
He said beyond that, the idea was abandoned. "It states pretty clearly that administration is not going to be tinkered with," Stegemann said.
Board member Cary Radisewitz said much of the fear of cutting the middle school position could be attributed to miscommunication.
"We brainstormed about administrative positions, and when we couldn't make the cuts, that message didn't get to the public," Radisewitz said.
Superintendent Vince Schaefer expressed frustration over reactions he said weren't warranted in the first place.
"[The middle school cut] was one of 12 ideas. I don't think it was ever given consideration," he said. "Dave gets an opportunity and suddenly I'm reading that we're swamping the middle school position."
He reminded the meeting visitors that School Board members have the district's best interest at heart.
"Which one of these board members doesn't have kids and doesn't want the best thing for kids?" he said.
Deragisch implied the message he'd been given was different.
"I've been in contact with you all summer long, and I was told, 'Dave, you're going to have a job, but it's going to be different,Õ " Deragisch said to Schaefer at the meeting.
"I'm not willing to take on any more responsibilities when I have this job (at Hills-Beaver Creek) in my backyard."
To that, Schaefer crossed the room to address Deragisch.
"Mr. Deragisch, we've had many conversations, and I've been open and honest," Schaefer said. "I can't guarantee anyone on this staff their job will be exactly the same."
Deragisch will start his new duties with H-BC in January. Luverne School Board members accepted his resignation at Thursday's meeting.
"It's like we're reading an obituary," said board chairman Don Bryan. "I hope we'll still see you around here. Thanks for your wonderful service to the district."
Superintendent Schaefer wished him well. "It's been a true pleasure working with you," he told Deragisch. "We wish you all the best as you head up the Patriots.