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The North Branch School Board has approved Assistant Supt. Rodeny Reisnouer to serve the district as interim superintendent for two years. He will officially assume the duties July 1. Supt. Dr. Robert Stepaniak in November submitted notice of his retirement at the end of this school term.

School Board Chair Mary Jo Ahlgren said, “We are very fortunate to have an internal candidate with the experience and leadership skills. By making this decision at this time Rodney is able to tie up loose ends in his current role while learning the intricacies of leading this district from (Stepaniak).”

The Board has not decided if the assistant superintendent job will be filled . “We need to take a look at our overall organization of administration as it relates to our strategic plan and budget.

Dr. Stepaniak noted, “I cannot think of a better candidate to assume the superintendency than Rodney Reisnoue. Rodney will be able to provide continuity in the district administration for the staff, students and community we serve.”

As reported earlier the North Branch District named a subcommittee of the Board in November to investigate options regarding Stepaniak’s successor. This committee met with union leadership, administration and the Board to discuss desired qualities in a superintendent. Committee recommendation was that Reisnouer could provide the qualities the district needed to meet its challenges.

School Board Vice Chair Kim Salo, who served on the committee, noted Reisnouer has served the district for 11 years as a teacher, Special Education Director, principal and most recently assistant superintendent. “His proven leadership will be invaluable as the district navigates through the tough waters of budget adjustments, opening the Sunrise River School and continued state and federal mandates.”

Trok will retire

Chisago City resident Dr. Michael Trok gave the North Branch School Board notice he will retire at the end of this school term. He has been North Branch High School principal since 1991.

When asked what his plans are he said, “I plan to continue to teach at the graduate school level as well as refine school security procedures. I have written a book that needs a rewrite and of course there are some fish that need catching.”

The school board members will discuss replacing the principal at a future meeting.

Dr. Trok came to North Branch from principal posts at Milaca and Grand Meadow High Schools and as athletic director and asst. principal for Windom High School.

He started his education career as an English teacher at Spring Valley High School. He does workshops on educational uses of telecommunications technology; has been guest lecturer at U-W River Falls on school security and recently adjunct professor to the university system at Winona and Mankato on school security and related fields.

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