By Jolene Farley
Dave Deragisch begins his duties as superintendent of Hills-Beaver Creek Schools on Jan. 1, and it's a homecoming of sorts for the Hills native and H-BC graduate.
"It's going to feel very natural," said Deragisch. "It's going to be a nice transition. I know a lot of people."
Deragisch grew up in the Hills area and graduated from H-BC in 1979. His father, Dean, was principal in the H-BC district from 1958 to 1973.
After graduating from Sioux Falls College with a bachelor of arts degree in social sciences, Deragisch taught for two years in the Chandler-Lake Wilson district before returning to Hills to teach from 1986 to 1991.
He left Hills to become middle school principal in the Jackson district, and in 1993 he became middle school principal in Luverne.
Deragisch lists two things among his favorites in Luverne. "The students and the staff," he said. "They are really great people. They are fun to work with - just a wonderful group of people."
Deragisch signed a three-year contract with the H-BC district for $79,000 per year, prorated this year since heÕs starting in the middle of the school year.
The Luverne School Board released him from a middle school principal contract for $77,947 that expired at the end of this school year.
That salary included compensation for other duties such as middle school counselor and middle school activities director.
Deragisch earned his master's of counseling from South Dakota State University, Brookings, and his principal licensure from Mankato State University, Mankato.
Deragisch will fill the position in the H-BC district vacated by Tom Knoll after eight years. The position was filled temporarily by Darold Williams.
Deragisch and his wife, Lori, have four children, Danielle, 17, Brandon, 15, Kaitlyn, 12, and Hilary, 8, and currently reside in Luverne. They will continue attending school in Luverne, according to Deragisch.