News : Principal Johnson to leave V-S district for Waukee; school board to meet Tuesday

Vinton-Shellsburg High School Principal Kirk Johnson has informed Vinton-Shellsburg administrators that he is leaving the district at the end of this school year. He has accepted a similar position at the Waukee School District. Waukee is in eastern Dallas County but is growing very rapidly as the Des Moines metropolitan area expands.

Johnson told Vinton Today that he has a job offer from the administrative team at Waukee, but the Waukee School Board must first approve his hiring before it becomes official. He has submitted a letter of resignation to Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock, pending the final decision from the Waukee board.

Ten years ago, Waukee was similar in size to Vinton, but the city more than doubled in population by 2010. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city grew by 169 percent, from 5,126 to 13,790. The school district, like the city, is experiencing very fast growth and expects to start discussing plans for a second high school. The Waukee girls will be making their fourth straight appearance in the Class 4A State Basketball Tournament this week.

Johnson will replace Waukee High School Principal Jody Ratigan, who, according to a story in the Des Moines Register, has asked to be reassigned as assistant principal so she can spend more time with her family. A total of 52 people applied for that job, which will pay $112,000 per year.

The V-S School Board will meet to accept Johnson's resignation and to begin discussing the hiring of a new principal at a special meeting at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 1. They will also discuss the hiring of a new business manager to replace the retiring Larry Stroschein.

Below is the meeting's official agenda:

Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 7:30 AM

V-S District Office

1502 C Ave.

Vinton, IA 52349

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call / Pledge of Allegiance

III. Approve the Agenda

IV. Personnel Items

A. Resignations

B. Recommendations to Hire

C. Contract Amendment