Lakeview Elementary School principal David Paschka surprised his staff last week by announcing his retirement after 32 years as a principal for District 241.

Thursday, May 10, 2001

Lakeview Elementary School principal David Paschka surprised his staff last week by announcing his retirement after 32 years as a principal for District 241.

&uot;I told my staff first because they’ve been so terrific over my 18 years at Lakeview,&uot; Paschka said. &uot;I know I’m going to miss them, along with the kids, the most.&uot;

Rather than announce the decision at the beginning of the year, inviting sentimentality over every event, Paschka opted to make the final decision at the end of the year.

&uot;I can’t operate like that anyway,&uot; he said. &uot;Getting overly sentimental has a tendency to cloud what you do. Instead, I wanted to have a productive year.&uot;

Paschka was a driving force behind improving special education and the district’s library system. He also served on several state education boards.

The basic structure of education hasn’t changed much over his career, Paschka said. It’s still based on the same calendar and same daily schedule.

&uot;That’s been a big challenge. We can’t seem to break out of the conventional way of doing things. Some people are scared of change,&uot; he said.

Though he loved being a principal, Paschka said he won’t miss the constant worries over enrollment and budgeting concerns.

&uot;You work hard to build a program, and then during down times, you have to dismantle it because of declining enrollment or some other funding problem,&uot; he said.

Paschka and his wife, Carol, plan to remain in Albert Lea and continue living in the same home they’ve owned for the last 32 years.

&uot;This is our community and we love the people here,&uot; he said. &uot;We’re staying for good.&uot;