School Board hires principal, teachers, coach
June 19th, 2008Sibley East’s Board of Education has a new principal. Monday night, the Board of Education hired James Amsden as high school principal. He will assume administrative duties July 1.
Amsden’s salary for 2008-09 was set at $83,175. The principal’s position is a 12 month position. He will be subject to salary adjustment through the principal’s collective bargaining process for the 2009-2010 school year.
Others that were hired are: Katherine Behr, fifth grade teacher at Arlington; Amanda Brinkman, first grade at Gaylord; Kristine Culligan, second grade at Gaylord; Angela Lea Stevens, Kindergarten teacher at Gaylord; Nathan Thompson, elementary music teacher and building technology coordinator; and Charles Hartman, head football coach.
Elementary Principal Mari Lu Martens said that through the fellow positions through Minnesota State University, Mankato, Sibley East will have April Lambert to teach Grade 3 in Gaylord, and Melissa Purpus to teach Grade 3 in Arlington.
Resignations were accepted for: James Amsden, high school social studies teacher, building tech coordinator and golf coach; Kathryn Kaletka, high school Spanish teacher, assistant speech coach, fall play director and one act play director; Orlin Meyer, bus driver; and Judy Strand, ECFE paraprofessional.
Martens said that at this time, all elementary positions are filled. However, she cautioned the board that she would like to add a fifth section of Kindergarten for this fall. She would request action on this matter in July.
Martens said that as of June 16, there are 97 Kindergarten students enrolled – 49 at Gaylord and 48 in Arlington. Eighty students were projected. At this time, Martens recommended that Arlington have three sections of Kindergarten and Gaylord have two. It has not yet been determined where the additional Kindergarten classroom will be located.
