Leaders: ‘We can’t lose her’

Five dozen Albert Lea community and school leaders discussed the need to retain Albert Lea Area Schools Deputy Superintendent Lori Volz on Tuesday, after she accepted a position with Mankato Area Public Schools last week.

The audience discussed steps to encourage Volz to stay, including attending Monday’s Albert Lea School Board study session, contacting board members, writing letters to the editor to the Tribune and using social media.

Highlighting the district’s success stories was also targeted as a priority by the group.

The discussion at Alliance Benefit Group was hosted by CEO Brad Arends.

Albert Lea High School Principal Mark Grossklaus said he thought Volz was stressed from tough board meetings and requests for legal work dating back 10 years.

“They were going after something else, and Lori ended up getting in the way,” he said.

Grossklaus called Volz one of the top finance directors in the state.

“Lori gets it, she gets what is going on,” he said.

Volz started with the district in 2009 when she was hired as the director of finance and operations. She became deputy superintendent in October 2014. She previously worked for 15 years in Blue Earth and 11 years in Austin in the school finance field.

Volz’s departure leaves the district with the prospect of hiring an interim finance director, Grossklaus said. He stated Volz has a reputation around Minnesota for being the best at what she does.

“It is very important to keep Lori here, because you never know what you are going to get,” he said.

School leaders said Volz’s departure as a top administrative employee could create more departures.

A fact sheet presented at the discussion listed accomplishments Volz has overseen, including:

A $16.5 million facilities upgrade to the heating and ventilation systems in six buildings throughout the district. The projects were accomplished with minimal impacts to taxes, through zero and low interest bonds, saving taxpayers $3.38 million.

Implementing $1.5 million in wireless internet infrastructure throughout the district.

Procurement of more than 2,000 Chromebook/iPad devices for students and teachers.

Establishment of a free onsite health clinic for more than 900 employees and dependents covered under the district’s health insurance plan. This led to a decrease of 11 percent on prescription insurance claims in the clinic’s first years.

Refinancing of the bond for Albert Lea High School, which resulted in savings of $1.14 million.

Starting salary for Albert Lea teachers is more than $41,000 — the highest in southern Minnesota.

Tax decreases totaling 11.3 percent from 2013 to 2015.

Sibley Elementary School Principal Diane Schultz said Volz is a major part of the district.

“Lori Volz is a pillar,” she said. “She is helping us and creating a culture in doing what is best for kids. We need to keep her here.”

Schultz said she has had a difficult time since finding out Volz was leaving the district.

“We can’t lose her,” she said.

Parents shared successes their children have had in the district.

Kim Nelson praised Volz and described her as someone who is always professional who uses facts to make educated decisions.

Abby Murray discussed technology her children have used in the district’s elementary schools.

Community members discussed their frustration at the way Superintendent Mike Funk handled the district’s calendar issue, but talks returned to the impact Volz has made on the district.

Volz will not officially resign from Albert Lea until her position is approved by Mankato.

Board action is not anticipated until Nov. 21.

The group discussed that the district has lost other important employees in the district, and they want to make sure they are doing what they can to prevent more from leaving.

Arends said the meeting provided a good starting point for positive change in the community.

“If we save Lori or we lose Lori we have got to keep this going,” he said. “We have got to keep this going — what we have started here tonight and the communication that we have started and the positive things — and then we will work on the negative things in a collaborative way rather than an us versus you.”