The Crookston Public School Board met this morning for a special meeting in the Crookston School District Office Conference Room to discuss the resignations and hirings of multiple positions within the Crookston School District.
The Board’s first agenda item was to accept the resignation of Crookston High School Principal Nicki Martinez, who, according to School Board Chairman Frank Fee, was looking to spend more time with her family. “All I heard is that she wanted to get back to her family down in the Twin Cities area,” Fee explained. “That’s all I’ve heard, I’m not even sure if that’s correct, but that’s what I heard.” The Board accepted her resignation unanimously. The Board then moved on to approve the hiring of Amanda Wolf, Gina Ystness, and Jaclyn Hubbard as new Highland Elementary School teachers.
The Board approved all motions unanimously.
The Board then began a discussion on what direction they would go in replacing Martinez for the 2022-23 School Year along with the new Superintendent position. Chairman Frank Fee reported that they have one application for the position of Superintendent so far after one week. Superintendent Olson then asked the Board if they would do a similar application process as the new Superintendent process for the new Principal application with having 2 to 3 weeks of advertising before making a decision or noted that if they moved Assistant Principal Matt Torgerson to the position, they would have to recruit for his position instead. Olson recommended that Torgerson would be a strong candidate for the position but believed that they would need to make a decision quickly before the new year began. They then requested for Superintendent Olson to reach out to Torgerson to see if he is interested in accepting the position as principal, “After we accepted the resignation of Nicki Martinez as principal, the Board directed Superintendent Olson to go talk to Mr. Torgerson, our assistant principal, and we felt confident that he would be able to do the job if he so desires,” Chairperson Fee explained. “If Matt accepts it, we’re going to hire him as principal, and at the same time, we would open up a search for an assistant principal,” he added. Chairman Fee explained that if he accepts the position, the school will open a traditional search for the new Assistant Principal that may take up to two or three weeks, but he has yet to hear a decision from Torgerson.
The next School Board meeting will take place on Monday, May 23, at 5:00 p.m. in the High School Choir/Orchestra Room.
