Adam Nelson and his wife Jackie attended the school board meeting where an emotional Adam read his resignation letter stating he was leaving as the I.S.D. 166 K-12 principal.
It’s official: I.S.D. 166 PK-12 principal Adam Nelson will be leaving the school district to become the superintendent of Wrenshall public schools. Nelson presented his letter of resignation to the school district on Dec. 1. His last day will be Jan. 1, 2018.
The I.S.D. 166 school board held a special meeting on Dec. 14 to accept the resignation and to discuss how to move forward until Nelson’s position can be replaced. After 30 minutes of discussion, the board voted 4-0 to start a search to hire an interim assistant principal with 6-12 experience. Assistant principal William (Bill) DeWitt will take over the PK-12 reins left by Mr. Nelson’s departure.
When asked if the district would keep two principals and that model would remain the district’s administrative structure, board chair Sissy Lunde said administrative structuring could be discussed at a later date. For now, said Lunde, the goal would be to hire someone to assist Dr. DeWitt as soon as possible.
In his letter to the board, which Mr. Nelson read, at times stopping to compose himself, he said, “During the spring of 2013 I was teaching in Red Wing, coaching boys’ track and field, and trying to figure out this whole parenting thing. We were happy, so why not move 300 miles away from our families and friends and take on one of the most significant challenges we have ever faced?
“Accepting a principal position for I.S.D. 166 has been one of the best decisions we have made as a family. Cook County became our home. Our son Patrick (now 3) was born in Grand Marais, and we have made friendships that will last a lifetime. As I look over the past four years, both as 6-12 principal and K-12 principal, I can’t help but feel proud of all the things our great schools have accomplished during this time.”
Mr. Nelson cited improvements in the school district over his 4½-year stay. These included a curriculum that now meets state standards, expansion of early childhood programming, improvements to PK special education, renovation of the industrial arts facility, a 2016 Native American graduation rate of 100 percent versus a statewide graduation rate of 52.6 percent, and advancement in AP course offerings, among other things.
Mr. Nelson ended his letter to the school board saying, “My family and I feel truly blessed to have been part of this school and the Cook County community. While we accomplished so many goals and achieved so many successes, it is still difficult knowing there were more successes and improvements to be had. However, I am confident that in time the dedicated and talented staff will continue to achieve, continue to improve and continue to support the school and its people.
“I wish the students and staff nothing but the best in the years to come. Thank you for all you have done for my family and me in making this place our home. We will miss you.”
Before the board voted to accept Mr. Nelson’s resignation several people spoke. Assistant principal Dr. DeWitt thanked Adam for mentoring him during the last 1½ years he has been with the district. Dr. DeWitt mentioned the work Adam had done with kids, with the staff, and his volunteering to spend three weeks working on the playground to get it ready for the school year. He also thanked Adam’s wife, Jackie, for allowing Adam to work overtime to take care of the school and the kids in it.
Middle school English teacher Sue Nelson thanked Adam for his support, adding that at times middle school could get “messy,” but Adam brought stability to the school and showed his support for her in the classroom.
School board member Chris Goettl thanked Adam for his work, “As a parent with two kids there have been some trying times that have improved. What you have done here is great. I wish you nothing but success.”
School board member Deb White was most enthusiastic in her praise for Nelson. She said that when former principal Gwen Carman resigned to take a job elsewhere, Adam stepped into that role with four days notice. She called Mr. Nelson’s management style “supportive and collaborative,” and she cited his work to improve relations with the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe LLIC.
Board chair Sissy Lunde thanked Adam for his hard work and wished him well, and superintendent Crandall said Wrenshall was lucky to have hired Mr. Nelson, calling him “a student first” administrator.
The board authorized Dr. Crandall to advertise the upcoming opening immediately. Deb White encouraged Dr. Crandall to look at native Americans who were seeking work as a principal. Until someone is hired, Dr. Crandall said both the Silver Bay and Two Harbors principals have said they would assist Dr. Dewitt any way they could.
Should candidates be found, a team made up of representatives from Grand Portage, the school board, I.S.D. staff, and community members will be sought to help with the interview process. White asked if interviews could be held over Christmas break and Dr. Crandall said yes if any candidates were found at that time.
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