Superintendent Search

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Superintendent Selection

January 25, 2024

Announcement of the Selection of new LQPV School Superintendent, Scott Lempka

Wednesday, January 24, the LpPV School Board conducted interviews with seven (7) candidates for the position of LqPV Superintendent of Schools.  Those seven candidates were chosen from a field of thirteen total applicants for the position. Interviews were scheduled throughout the day and included a 90-minute tour of the all three school facilities.

 

Following the interviews and school board discussion about each candidate, board member Danny Perseke made a motion that was seconded by board member Scott Conn and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of all six board members to dispense with the previously scheduled second interview of candidates and offer the position to Scott Lempka.

 

Mr. Lempka formally accepted the position Thursday morning pending final contract negotiations. Scott Lempka will officially begin work as Superintendent of Schools July 1, 2024.  He will replace Interim Superintendent Rick Ellingworth who is retiring after serving in the district for the last three years.

 

When asked about his thoughts on this new venture, Lempka stated, “I am extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity to join Lac Qui Parle Valley School District.  I was immediately impressed by the closeness of the community and the support families have shown for their schools.  Lac Qui Parle has done some exciting work in recent years including great strides in the area of literacy.  I look forward to getting to know the staff and community and working together to do great things for our students! 

LqPV School Board Chairman, Cory Thorsland shared “Scott has a rich background in education and will be a phenomenal communicator with our communities, our staff and our students.   He has great interest and respect for developing relationships and has significant leadership experience in suburban and rural school districts.  We are very excited to have him join our LqPV team.” 

Originally a graduate of Alexandria High School in Alexandria, Minnesota, Lempka earned Bachelor Degrees in Education and Psychology from Gustavus Adolphus College, a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Eastern Washington University, and Superintendent Certification from St. Cloud State University.

 

Previously, he served as a teacher and instructional coach in Spokane Washington, Elementary School Principal in the Elk River and Anoka-Hennepin School Districts, and most recently as Principal in the Minnewaska Elementary and Middle Schools in Glenwood, Minnesota.

 

Scott and his wife, Kari have three children. Charlotte, a freshman at the University of Jamestown, Dean is a junior at Alexandria High School and Rosemary is a fifth grader in Alexandria Elementary School.

 

 

1-22-24

Seven finalists have been selected for Lac qui Parle Valley Public School District’s Superintendent Vacancy.

 

Madison, MN - The Lac qui Parle Valley Public School Board has selected seven finalists to interview for the school district’s superintendent vacancy.  The finalists were chosen from a pool of 13 applicants and selected based on hiring criteria established by the School Board based on public input.

 

The interviewees are:   

• 8:30 am = Scott Lempka from the Minnewaska Area School District

• 9:40 am = Garrett Schmidt from the Doland, SD School District

• 10:50 am = Tate Jerome from the Chokio-Alberta School District

• 12:35 pm = Dr. Randy Bergquist from the Crookston School District

• 1:45 pm = Jason Stanoch from the Bemidji School District

• 2:55 pm = Brett Benson from the BOLD School District 

• 4:05 pm = Brad Johnson from the McGregor School District

 

The School Board has scheduled interviews beginning at 8:30 a.m. on January 24, 2024 at the LQPV High School Lac Lab.