Caledonia Argus

High school principal leaving

Posted: 5/11/04

Caledonia High School Principal Cory Klabunde announced his resignation at the May 3 Caledonia School Board meeting.

Klabunde, who started in Caledonia last fall, told The Argus that he was taking a 6-12 grade principal position at Buffalo/Hector Lake School District in order to be closer to his and his wifeís families.

Superintendent Jim Tool said he had received about 25 applications for the job, and would likely end up with 35-40.

Board member Chuck Schulte questioned the need to hire a replacement, given that the district is facing declining enrollment.

Tool felt that Klabunde had made a significant difference at the middle/high school. Having one principal in charge of 600-plus students is asking too much, he said.

Noting that the board had recently cut its high school librarian, Schulte said, ìThat was a lousy decision. Iím still uncomfortable with that.î Hiring a dean of students to take care of discipline problems, rather than a principal, would save $30,000, he said.

ìTheyíre not expensive ornaments as some would state or claim,î board member Dave Klinski responded. The high school principal position might need to be eliminated in 3-4 years, he said, but not now.

Board member Charlie Wray agreed that cuts should not be made prior to a decrease in students in the high school.

Other resignations at the board meeting included Amy Wild as half-time National Honor Society advisor; David Riley as school play advisor; and Scott Martin as eighth grade football coach.

ï New ag teacher hired: The board approved on a 6-1 vote the hiring of Meghan Crilly as high school agricultural teacher at the rate of $31,032 per year and FFA advisor at $2,672.

Chuck Schulte voted against the hiring. He felt that he did not have enough information, such as what courses she had taken, and what her grade point average was.

Klabunde and middle school principal Brian Doty both defended the recommendation to hire Crilly. Doty said her student teacher advisor had ranked her in the top handful of all the teachers he had supervised in 34 years. Klabunde said she was also licensed to teach science, and that she had interviewed well.

Board members Charlie Wray and Naomi Fruechte said that administrators are supposed to evaluate candidates and make recommendations. ìIím confident with their recommendation,î he said. Board member Naomi Fruechte agreed.

ï Other hirings: The board extended contracts to David Riley as yearbook advisor for $2,672, Cheryl Utecht as National Honor Society advisor for $1,102, and Becky Breeser as half time newspaper advisor at $646.

ï Tenure, continuations: The board granted tenure to Greta Mierau at .58 time. Probationary teaching contracts were offered to Lisa Buley, Curt Campbell, Emilee Freed, Eliott Kranz, Scott Martin, Lindsey Meyer, Luke Miller, Gene Power, Michelle Roberts, and Jennifer Snook.

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