By Nicole Ronchetti

Luverne principals Ryan Johnson and Jason Phelps are getting ready for another school year, but they know that this year it will look a little different.

After the retirement of elementary principal Stacy Gillette early this year, the school district elected to restructure its three-principal model down to two.

“I’m the sixth through 12th grade principal, and Mr. Phelps is the kindergarten through eighth-grade principal,” Johnson explained. “We’ll be co-principals for the middle school.”

Luverne has worked under a two-principal model as recently as 2019, with the workload split between kindergarten through fifth grade and sixth through 12th grade.

Now, the middle school will be covered by two principals.

“Our logic was that the workload for sixth through 12th was pretty significant, but if you break it down between the two of us we’ll be able to get pretty close to getting (the workload) even,” Phelps said.

While many of the details have been worked out already, there are some that Johnson and Phelps expect to iron out after the school year begins.

“It’s a work in progress,” Johnson said. “There are some responsibilities that are easy to define, but there are others that I think are going to shake out this year as we see who’s able to pick up where someone else can’t.”

There are also benefits that both principals see to the new model.

“I think we’ll be a lot more connected between both buildings,” Phelps said. “(Previously) there were times when the elementary was its own little world, and now I’m hoping there will be more continuity from elementary to middle school.”

As a former elementary teacher, Phelps is also looking forward to working with younger students again.

“I like the idea of being back in that realm again,” he said. “I look forward to the new staff and getting to know the students.”

Johnson acknowledged that there will likely be adjustments for the community with the new model.

“We’ll be doing more with less,” he said. “When student concerns come up, we’ll address them as best as we possibly can, but it’s going to be more limited when it comes to the time we’re able to spend on the issue, so patience from parents will be appreciated.”

Overall, both principals said the system will largely remain the same, and they’re confident the care and attention students need will still be there.

“The collaboration will remain the same, and if a parent wants to speak to either one of us, we’re always available,” Johnson said.

Phelps agreed.

“A lot of our work is built on building relationships, knowing information about students and families and staff and working with them,” he said. “That’s going to be the same.”

They said they’re both looking forward to a successful school year, and are confident that the details will be worked out effectively.

“I feel very confident and good working with (Mr. Phelps),” Johnson said. “We both know our leadership styles and we’re looking forward to a great school year.”

https://www.star-herald.com/news/luverne-principals-team-covering-middle-school