×
×
homepage logo

Schneider hired as new BEA High School principal

By Staff | Jul 15, 2012

Three of Blue Earth Area’s top administrators are new to their positions. Left to right are: Al Cue, new assistant elementary/middle school principal; new superintendent Evan Gough; elementary/middle school principal Melissa McGuire; and new high school principal Rich Schneider.

At the beginning of their regular monthly meeting last Monday night, the Blue Earth Area School Board was introduced to their new high school principal.

At the end of the 22-minute-long meeting, the board voted to accept the contract to officially hire Richard Schneider for the position.

Schneider comes to Blue Earth Area from Harrisburg, S.D. He has been a middle school principal there for the past three years and a middle school and high school principal in the Hamlin, S.D., Hayti School District before that.

Schneider started his education career as a math and science teacher both in Volga and Avon, S.D.

He grew up in Spencer, S.D., and graduated from Hanson High School there.

Schneider has been married to his wife, Sheri, for 26 years. They have three children: Phillip, 24, a second year med student at the University of South Dakota; Danielle, 22, who just graduated from Creighton University and now lives in Colorado; and Melanie, who will be a junior at BEA High School this fall.

“I feel I have hit the ground running,” Schneider told the board. “I have been very busy these first few days.”

Schneider gave a principal’s report at the meeting, which dealt with changes coming to the student handbook. “We will present the full handbook for board approval at the August meeting,” Schneider says.

This was also new superintendent Evan Gough’s first board meeting.

“It is interesting that you have hired two South Dakotans,” Gough says. “Rich and I have figured out that we actually grew up on farms that were 20 or 25 miles apart.”

Schneider’s contract calls for him to be paid $87,000 for the 2012-2013 year, and $89,000 for the 2013-2014 year.

“I want you to know that I am very excited to be here as the new principal,” Schneider told the board. “Both Evan and I have found this to be a great community and school.”

Superintendent Gough agreed.

“This already feels like home,” he says.

In other business at Monday’s meeting, the BEA School Board:

Passed several resolutions dealing with the upcoming school board election set for this fall on Nov. 6.

Three four year terms on the board will be open. Those positions are currently held by board members Shane Becker, Dawn Fellows and Frankie Bly.

The filing period opens on July 31 and closes on Aug. 14. There is a $2 fee to file.

Approved the annual agreement with YSI, the operators of Elmore Academy, for education of students.

Superintendent Gough says by state statute the BEA District is required to be responsible for the education of all students residing in the district.

The agreement with YSI calls for them to contract with the East Dakota Cooperative for providing teaching staff.

Approved the sale of a parcel of land next to the bus garage in Winnebago to Alliant Energy at a purchase price of $5,000.

Agreed to sign a one year service contract with former superintendent Dale Brandsoy as a consultant on an as-needed basis. The compensation would be $500 per day.