Caledonia Argus

School board releases summary of Lingen's evaluation

Posted: 4/22/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

The ISD #299 School Board has released a summary of evaluation it had in closed session with former Superintendent Percy Lingen. The evaluations were held on July 16, 2001, and April 2, 2002.

The summary was released on Tuesday, April 8, following a ruling by District Court Judge James Fabian, who said that the school board had violated the open meetings law and data practices act by meeting in closed session to conduct the evaluation and then failing to provide an adequate summary of the evaluation as required by law. The Argus had initiated the lawsuit in the summer of 2002.

The summary listed 10 of the top job responsibilities of the superintendent and included comments on what the board believed to be her strengths and weaknesses relative to each point. Some of the areas noted for improvement were that the policies of the board be implemented as planned; that there should be a greater effort to improve credibility with the community; and that information for negotiation strategy needs to be more accurate and timely.

Among the strengths noted were that the superintendent proceeded in a professional manner in investigating the deficit; that she was knowledgeable on the programs available for special education; that she kept abreast of educational trends and changes in grad standards and she had a good working relationship with her peers and with governmental leaders.

A copy of the summary is available at The Argus or the School District office.

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