361 Superintendent Langan ends term

The approval granted Langan a release from serving until June 30, the original end date of his contracted part-time employment with the Falls School District.

The board also approved the interim assignment of the position to Assistant Superintendent Kevin Grover.

Grover, who was mentored by Langan, gained the somewhat contentious title of assistant to the superintendent for the 2008 school year, and more recently achieved the status as assistant superintendent after attaining his superintendent license.

Grover’s promotion was part of a June 2008 administrative reorganization of the Falls School District that resulted from Langan’s desire to share superintendent half-time roles with the Falls and Ely school districts. Prior to that, Grover had teaching and union leadership experience, and one year as assistant administrator — a position in which only he served and which has since been eliminated at Falls High School.

At the time, the creative administrative reorganization brought concerns from some board members as well as community reactions that the changes served Langan and Grover better than it did the community or the district. Since then, a district election has brought on new board members who, at times, have also voiced their concerns over Langan’s administrative motivations.

Langan will continue in his part-time Ely superintendent role at least until 2011, he told The Journal recently, adding that he’s been in the administration business for 40 years. The 66-year-old administrator told the school board Monday that he would receive his first, full Social Security check in January.

He also stated that although his relationship with the board over the past year had been sometimes rocky, his request to step back at this time was not based on discontentment. Langan spoke passionately.

“I came up here in ’04 and fell in love — with the kids and the faculty,” Langan said, pausing to look to the left and right at the board table before continuing, “and, yes, with the board — even if some of you do live under a rock.” The jest was the second reference made that evening to a criticism Langan originally made at another board meeting during a labor contract disagreement. Board members appeared to amiably receive the good-humored remark.

Langan said his service to the Falls School District had been the top point of his career.

“If this were 15 years earlier, I would submit my application to you in gold plate,” Langan said. “Thank you.”

“And if anyone is foolish enough to give me a going-away party, I expect to see every board member there,” he added with a smile.

Langan told The Journal he wouldn’t trade his six years in the Falls for anything. But, he said, “it’s time,” and added that he will have fewer demands as he finishes his career by serving out his part-time administration at Ely. “I will not be clipping coupons or counting minnows,” he quipped, “but I’ll stay involved.”

The transition

Langan told the board that he felt secure in passing his duties to the interim superintendent. “I have complete confidence in Mr. Grover,” Langan said. “He has the sensitivity, the confidence and firmness.”

After receiving his principal’s license, Grover told The Journal in September of 2008 that he figured he would eventually get a job as a superintendent but the “unique opportunity” of being mentored in the job came sooner than he expected. Grover said he wanted to be sure that becoming superintendent was right for everyone before he took the job.

“And if (things aren’t right) in a couple of years when we make the transition, it won’t take place,” Grover said at that time.

Grover began his career as a math teacher at Falls High School in 1998 after receiving his bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State University. While a teacher in the Falls, he also received his master’s from BSU and his principal’s license from St. Mary’s University.

Grover became the FHS assistant administrator prior to the 2007-08 school year, assigned to help Principal Tim Everson after the dean of students position had been cut. The changes in administration as well as Grover’s career and even his personal life, were closely scrutinized by some members of the community following his placement as assistant to the superintendent.

Earlier during Monday’s board meeting, Langan made his recommendations for the transition and hiring process of a new superintendent for which Grover is likely a candidate.

Point by point, Langan explained his views on the hiring process, which he says should begin now. He said that board members should immediately start to analyze the skills and features that they want to see in superintendent applicants for District 361.

“Don’t let the candidate(s) tell you what you’re looking for,” Langan said. “You have an excellent district, students and teachers.” Langan also cautioned the board to ascertain that all applicants are serious candidates. “Any candidate that is interviewed is public (information) and open to the community,” he said. Langan added that a targeted completion of interviews by mid-March means a tight schedule, but is necessary to allow time for a final contract by April.

Langan also cited the unique opportunity that the district has in having a large number of licensed-staff positions (10-13 vacancies) to be filled after several recent retirements. He advised the board to encourage the new administration to maximize these positions and consider potential employees who will not just serve what the district needs now, but who will also be what it needs five years from now. “This is an opportunity that will not come again soon,” Langan said. He also encouraged the board to get faculty involved in assessing the potential of new hires. “They know what their needs are,” Langan said.