South Central School Superintendent Kerry Herdes has announced his retirement in June of next year after 20 years in the district as elementary school principal and then as Superintendent the last 11 years. He’ll be replaced by Elementary School Principal Sara Rose who will spend the next year as Assistant Superintendent before becoming Superintendent the following year.
Herdes is pleased with accomplishments over the last eleven years.
“I’m most proud of relationships I’ve built with students, staff, parents, and the community. South Central has been extremely good to me and my family,” Herdes said. “If you’re talking brick and mortar, we’ve obviously done a lot the last eleven years. The additions and connections at the middle school most recently, and before that rebuilding the high school campus and adding on and remodeling some of the elementary campus as well.”
Herdes is also pleased with the technology improvements which now provide every student with a computer with Interactive Boards in each classroom. Herdes has spent a total of 33 years in education and was a teacher and coach at Iuka Grade School before moving to South Central. He says education is in his blood and he will likely still take on some education projects in retirement.
Rose will spend the next year getting acclimated to the Superintendent’s job. The district will work on a school improvement grant that will help cover the extra costs.
With Rose rising to Superintendent, some other staff members will also move up. Current Assistant Grade School Principal Jake Skibinski will move up to principal and kindergarten teacher Brittney Kramer will become assistant principal.
In other personnel action, the board approved the resignation of Brittany Garrett as middle school teacher, Beta Club Sponsor and Web Tech Coordinator. The board also accepted the resignation of Mandy Ruholl at the end of the school year.
