Caledonia Argus

Superintendent seeking new job

Posted: 1/8/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Percy Lingen, superintendent for district #299, has informed board members and staff that she is interviewing for positions in two other districts.

Lingen has a two year contract with the district that ends June 30, 2002.

She is interviewing for a district in Moose Lake, which has a population size similar to Caledonia, and a position in Virginia, Minnesota, which has a larger student population.

The position in Moose Lake has an immediate opening.

Lingen did not wish to comment on her reason for applying to another district.

Board Chair Bruce Bulman said he feels Lingen is doing a good job and would hate to see her leave.

He said Lingenís job situation changed dramatically from when she first applied as superintendent for ISD #299.

For example, it was originally planned that Don Wilke, former superintendent, would mentor Lingen for the first year because Lingen did not have experience as a superintendent. But that plan fell through after Wilke left town. Lingen was Caledoniaís elementary principal for three years before becoming superintendent.

In her first year as superintendent, Lingen discovered a $400,000 budget deficit, which eventually sent the district into statutory operating debt. It was an issue that was inherited, but that Lingen was left to deal with. A referendum was held in November 2001 to address the deficit, but it failed.

During her tenure, Lingen has additionally been responsible for overseeing Connie Hesseís first year as principal and the building of a new school.

Lingen has also dealt with new board members and a different board chair.

Bulman said stress may be a reason to look at other districts, but he said Lingen may feel a general lack of support from the community. ìThereís a lot of people who like and support her, but sheís taken a lot of licks and you can only take that for so long,î he said.

Lingen has been in the teaching field for 20 years. She has a masters degree and has additional education and a superintendentís certification.

Before being a principal at Caledonia Elementary, Lingen taught all different grades in elementary.

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