NGRVSD Superintendent Lisa Nelson to continue in interim role

The search for a replacement for retiring NGRV School District Superintendent Lisa Nelson is continuing since neither of the candidates were selected by the School Board of Directors on May 2 following two days of interviews. It was decided at that time an interim superintendent would be sought to fill the position until a permanent replacement could be selected.

At the May 21 meeting of the Board of Directors, Chairman Bob Torppa discussed the possible candidates for the interim position. Two possibilities were the two candidates who had not been selected for the permanent position. Torppa noted he had a discussion with past superintendent Rob Johnson who had said he would consider it if no other candidate was selected. Torppa expressed his appreciation that Johnson was willing to step up if needed. Lastly mentioned was retiring superintendent Lisa Nelson who had expressed a willingness to serve as the interim while the search for a permanent superintendent played out.

One by one, each member of the Board expressed their thoughts. In the end, Torppa indicated it was a unanimous decision of the Board that Nelson be selected as the interim superintendent. It was stated Nelson’s one-year term as interim superintendent would start on July 1, 2024.

When subsequently interviewed, Nelson noted, “Sure, I was looking forward to retirement, but this school is my alma mater. I attended and graduated from this school. I’ve been the superintendent for the past eleven years and I care what happens to this school. So, if it means one more year of serving as the superintendent in order to ensure the baton is passed to the best possible person, I’m willing to postpone my plans for retirement life.”