Editor's Note: Following is one of what we believe to be one of hte top 10 stories in Emmet County for 2011 - a change in administration at Estherville Lincoln Central Community School
The timing couldn't have been better.
Months before the nation's housing debacle and resulting Great Recession of 2008, Estherville Lincoln Central opened its first new school in nearly 50 years, part of a district-wide revamping of facilities that continues today.
It all happened under the leadership of Superintendent Dick Magnuson who submitted his resignation effective June 30.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure at ELC and will always have fond memories of the board, our staff, parents, students and the community. I would like to formally thank each board member for your support during my tenure and congratulate you on your attempts to keep the needs of our students a priority in your decision-making process," Magnuson wrote in his letter to the Estherville Lincoln Central Board of Education.
As superintendent, Magnuson directed the board and a cadre of volunteers through a bond election in which the largest building project in nearly 50 years was approved - the new middle school. The building project also consolidated other facilities in the central campus.
Magnuson graduated from Primghar High School and did his undergraduate work at Western Washington University in Bellingham, receiving his master's degree from Northwest Missouri State and his specialist's degree from Drake University.
He began his 32-year career in education as a teacher at Denison then Council Bluffs and Glenwood. He served as principal at Interstate 35, superintendent at Rockwell-Swaledale, assistant superintendent at Spencer, then superintendent at ELC starting with the 2002-03 school year.
Magnuson marks the middle-school and facilities consolidation project as a highlight of his tenure. He gives much of the credit for passage of the bond issue to EL4C volunteers.
"That was a really good group to work with," said Magnuson. "Their focus was in the right direction as far as the interests of kids was concerned."
Magnuson recalled how EL4C volunteers devoted a great deal of personal time to giving community presentations and calling voters. "That project was a lot of fun," Magnuson said.
At 63, Magnuson said he wants to spend time with his grandchildren.
"There are a lot of things I need to get done," Magnuson said. "I'm going to let my grandsons teach me how to fish."
Magnuson's immediate predecessor was Dr. Steven Colby and before that Bill Hutchinson.
Tara Paul was selected as Magnusson's successor, officially assuming her position July 1.
Formerly curriculum director at Columbus Community School District, a district of 950 students based in Columbus Junction, Paul was chosen from a field of four finalists. Prairie Lakes AEA assisted ELC with the search.
"We're really excited" about coming to Estherville, Paul said.
Paul had served as curriculum director at the district with 68 percent Hispanic or other minority population, where eight out of 10 families live in poverty and a