Falls School Board to start search for new superintendent

The Falls school district is expected to begin a search for a new superintendent as its current leader prepares for retirement.
Superintendent Don Langan announced at a committee meeting Tuesday his plan to retire as a full-time superintendent, effective before or on Dec. 31. Langan said the December date gives the Falls School Board time to choose a new superintendent.
Langan has been the superintendent in International Falls for four years.
It’s time to step back from working full time and spend more time with his family, Langan said, who has had a career in education for more than 40 years.
The Falls School Board is expected to approve his retirement from the position at its April meeting. The board is expected to move through the process to find a new superintendent, which Langan anticipates will take no longer than 90 days.
Langan said board members understand that at his age, sooner or later, he is going to consider working less.
Langan has done a good job and it’s hard to see him go, Falls School Board Chairwoman Robin Baumchen said, adding that he has accomplished a lot in the district in a short time.
Working in the Falls school district has been the highlight of his career, he said, noting that it has been “fantastic.” The district has “better parents, students, staff and community” than other districts in Minnesota, Langan said, adding that the district is the best in the state.
After his retirement, he said he plans to join a corporate organization that provides professional services to school districts, which Langan called an “intriguing” new opportunity. He is still passionate for schools and students, he said.
“Running schools has been the only thing I have done and it’s the only thing I know,” Langan said.
The Falls School Board has been in discussion with the Ely school district to share superintendent services, but Langan said it was not the deciding factor in his decision to retire.
The Ely school district was going to purchase his services from the Falls school district. With his retirement, the Ely School Board can contract with the corporate organization for his services if the district chooses, he said. If he is contracted to work as the superintendent in Ely, he doesn’t anticipate working more than 100 days per year, he said.
The Falls School Board is also expected to fill a vacant seat on the board at its April meeting. The board completed interviews with the candidates Tuesday. The five candidates interviewed for the position vacated by Amy Hardwig-Eberspacher are Karen Bates, Roberta Ingvaldson, Stuart Nordquist, Michelle Hebner and Willi Kostiuk. The person appointed by the board to fill the position will serve until January and the position will be filled with the November election. That term will run two years.
Meanwhile, a $2,000 reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers to anyone who has information on the male who left two voice mails threatening violence earlier this month. Langan said the case is still open. He said he hopes for the district’s sake and for the caller’s sake that the caller is apprehended.