LCS board says 'no' to West Sioux request

The Le Mars Community School Board turned down a shared superintendent request from West Sioux Community School board president Monday night.

The request from West Sioux Community School District "came out of the blue," said LCS Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt.

In the letter, West Sioux School Board president Doug Smit indicated the district's superintendent, Paul Olson, plans to retire June 30, 2010.

Its board is looking into several options for the position, including exploring sharing the superintendent position with a contiguous district, according to the letter. It also requested that neighboring boards discuss the possibility.

Le Mars Community is 1 of 5 school districts with borders along the West Sioux District. The others are Akron-Westfield, MOC-Floyd Valley, Sioux Center and Rock Valley.

"I did e-mail Mr. Smit that I would put it in our agenda," said Wendt.

"I also indicated that I would be recommending to you that we not participate in any type of shared superintendent position, primarily because I don't have the time to do the job well in both school districts."

Wendt also indicated he would get in contact with Smit the following day to convey the board's intentions.

"I'm in total agreement with you, Dr. Wendt," board member Dan Smith said. "I think we better take care of our own business."

Smith said the business of the LCS district will take Wendt's full attention in the years ahead.

"We better keep you focused on our school district here," Smith added.

Board president Dr. Mark Stelzer also agreed.

"I do think it was kind of them to not specifically pick who they were going to send the letter to," Stelzer said. "They knew our district is large enough that to try to share part of your duties . . . is just not feasible."

LCS board members agreed the district will not pursue the issue further.

"Thank them for the letter and information but we're not available for anything like that at this point," Stelzer said in giving Wendt direction on the issue.