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The Albert Lea school board on Tuesday approved the contract for Interim Superintendent David Krenz to lead the district as it continues its search for a permanent superintendent.

The agreement includes 60 contracted days between Jan. 27 and June 30, but Board Chairman Dave Klatt said if the district needs beyond 60 days, that can be extended.

The contract could also end earlier if a new superintendent is hired before June 30.

Krenz, a retired superintendent for Austin Public Schools, will be paid a salary of $44,100.

Klatt talked about the impact Krenz is already making in his time with the district thus far.

“Within the first six days that Dave was here, he was in every building,” Klatt said. “He had an opportunity to see many classrooms, and I had a couple teachers who came up and say, “He literally said, ‘What can we do for you?’”

He said he thought Krenz was doing a great job in bringing the district together.

Board member Gary Schindler said he also appreciated the steadiness and professionalism Krenz brings to the district.

“He has served our purposes to get us on the ground as we do our search,” Schindler said, also noting that he appreciated Krenz’s communication with the board.

Board member Kim Nelson said she appreciates the board hearing about things happening in the district before they hear about them on the street or read them in the newspaper and appreciated Krenz for his communication with them.

The contract was approved 6-0. Board member Davy Villarreal was absent.

In other action, the board heard from Southwest Middle School Principal Tyler Johnson, Halverson Elementary School Principal Kim Larson, Albert Lea High School Principal Chris Dibble and Albert Lea High School Assistant Principal Sean Gaston about a recent conference they attended on High Reliability Schools.

The administrators talked about what the High Reliability Schools framework has meant to their own schools and that they hope it is at the forefront of the superintendent search.

Gaston said the framework has provided accountability, buy-in, compatibility and sustainability and that it has been appreciated by the teachers in making sure everyone is on the same page and in helping them grow as teachers.

The high school has obtained Level 2 certification and is seeking Level 3 certification, while all of the other schools have obtained Level 1 certification and are seeking Level 2 certification.

Board member Mary Jo Dorman, who worked for the district when it first started implementing the High Reliability Schools framework, also voiced her support for the system. Klatt said he liked the consistency it brings to the district.