Meet 4 new Sioux Falls-area superintendents leading school districts this year
Four new superintendents are starting at the helm of Sioux Falls-area school districts this school year.
They’ve all taken the reins officially, but will have their first days of school this week or the next.
Here’s what they’re doing to prepare for their first days in Baltic, Dell Rapids, Parker or West Central this year, and how they’re adjusting to their roles in new districts.
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Eric Bass in Baltic
Baltic School District Superintendent Eric Bass is celebrating his 21st year in education this year as he replaces former superintendent Bob Sittig, who retired June 30 after 44 years with the district. Bass is getting ready now for the first day of school on Thursday.
Bass spent the first four years of his career as a high school teacher in the Sully Buttes district, then eight years in the Flandreau School District and five years as principal and athletic director for the Deuel School District. For three years before coming to Baltic, he was the superintendent and high school principal in Estelline.
“The opportunity to come to Baltic was an opportunity I could not pass up,” Bass said. “The growth of the community and school district is very exciting, which can lead to increased opportunities for the students of the district.”
Baltic is in the middle of building a new high school, which Bass said will cause some disruption to how kids are brought into the school as the year starts. He’s getting up to speed on the building process and timelines, district policies and preparing for the South Dakota Department of Education’s accreditation review.
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“The biggest thing in the future will be the growth of the district’s enrollment and how that will impact the staffing and facility needs of the school district,” Bass said. “I plan to spend the majority of this first year looking at what the district needs to change and improve upon.”
Donavan DeBoer in Dell Rapids
Donavan DeBoer is taking the reins of the Dell Rapids School District on Tuesday this year from Summer Schultz, who resigned in May to lead the Brookings School District.
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DeBoer comes to Dell Rapids from Parker, where he was superintendent for the last nine years.
“Dell Rapids School District was another chance to grow as a professional,” he said. “It’s a great community and was a perfect fit for our family.”
DeBoer said he has an entrance plan to guide him through the process of building relationships, teams and needs assessments for the school district over the next several months.
“Dell Rapids is a wonderful community with superb support for their school,” he said. “My plan is to continue to uphold the positive traditions and successes and grow the school as needs arise, all to create an experience that students will reflect back on as positive and enjoyable.”
Janelle Johnson in Parker
As DeBoer left Parker, Janelle Johnson has moved to take over his position as superintendent as well as the principal of kindergarten through sixth grade, and the special education director. Johnson’s first day of school in her new position is Wednesday.
She’s no stranger to the district, as she’s served as principal of grades 7-12 in the 2020-2021 school year, the K-12 principal in the 2021-2022 school year, the K-6 principal in the 2022-2023 school year and now superintendent and K-6 principal. Each year, she also managed the district’s professional development and curriculum.
Johnson said she wants to see consistency in her school district and plans to retire with the Parker School District later in her career.
“I love the Parker School District, staff, students and community members. I love the small-town feel and family atmosphere found within our building,” Johnson said. “I am not one to jump from district to district. My resume reflects my commitment to my role.”
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She praised her administrative team, school board, teachers, paraprofessionals, coaches, cooks, bus drivers and custodians for their diligent work in creating a warm, inviting atmosphere where students can learn and grow.
Eric Knight in West Central
Eric Knight is taking over leadership of the West Central School District from former superintendent Daniel Hoey. His first day of school is Tuesday.
Knight comes to West Central from Centerville, where he served as superintendent and elementary principal for six years. He also has 13 years of experience in Chester where he spent nine years as a fourth grade teacher while coaching basketball and football, then four years as elementary principal while still coaching.
Eric and his wife Terri Knight have four children together: Luke, a junior in high school; Boche, a freshman in high school; Ellie, a seventh grader; and Nash, a third grader. The Knights enjoy sporting events and spending time outdoors. Eric Knight said their schedules tie him to many academic, extracurricular and co-curricular programs in the schools.
“While my children enjoy those activities, my involvement in them also allows me to connect with the activities and people within those programs,” Eric Knight said. “Having children from high school to elementary also connects me throughout the entire district.”
Knight and his administrative group have been planning and preparing for the upcoming school year together. He’s also spent the last month and a half gaining perspective on where the district’s been, and leading it the direction “that we want to go.”
His goals as superintendent include leading through positive growth, providing quality professional development, timely expansion and improvements, a sound fiscal plan, preparing lifelong learners and developing students’ “whole self.”
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: These 4 districts have new superintendents kicking off the 2023-2024 school year
