Blue Earth Area (BEA) School District may have to start looking for a new high school principal.
Richard Schneider has applied for the superintendent position of Le Sueur-Henderson Schools.
BEA administrators have been criticized and come under fire for their disciplinary action against four students involved in an alleged assault last October.
A few residents in the district have even demanded that some administrators be fired because of their handling of the incident.
“The decision (to apply) has nothing to do with any of the events of this past year, but rather the opportunities that very seldom come around,” says Schneider.
“Whenever a position becomes available, a candidate must consider whether it would be a good fit. My wife, Sheri and I lamented for a long time over whether we would ever consider leaving this community. We agreed that it had to be the right opportunity for us,” he adds.
Schneider has been principal at BEAHS for 6 years since moving from South Dakota.
Schneider says he earned an endorsement to become a superintendent because it is a natural progression for school administrators.
On Wednesday, the Le Sueur-Henderson School Board interviewed Schneider and five other candidates in their first round of interviews.
Schneider says leaving BEA would be a difficult decision because he values the relationships he has fostered with students, staff, parents and community members.
“I am very proud to say I am from Blue Earth Area School District. I do not hang my head when speaking about our school because I do not believe that these past events have told the whole picture,” he says. “We have much to be proud of and will continue to be a prideful community.”