School board to consider principal resignation at special meeting

At the end of October, School District 166 Principal Adam Nelson told some school staffers that he may be leaving for a position at the Wrenshall School District. However, there was no official word about his departure until November 20, when Wrenshall School District 100 announced that its school board had offered a superintendent position to Nelson.

Nelson officially tendered his resignation to ISD 166 last Friday, December 1, to be effective at the end of the school day on January 1, 2018.

Nelson shared his resignation letter with WTIP. The letter includes a list of 13 accomplishments he says he is proud of, such as expanded early childhood programming, improved Native American graduation rates, a renovated Industrial Arts facility, implementation of block scheduling and more.

Principal Nelson notes that these things would not have been possible without district staff. He said, “The faculty, paraprofessionals, custodians, bus drivers, food service personnel, building and ground attendants, and talented office staff work hard every single day to give the students in Cook County Schools the best education possible.”

He adds that while the school district has accomplished much, there are more improvements to be made. Nelson said, “I am confident that in time the dedicated and talented staff will continue to achieve, continue to improve and continue to support the school and its people.”

There are still questions about Nelson’s departure from School District 166. As principal, he has a contract with the district. Under state statutes, such a contract may be terminated at any time by mutual consent of the school board and the principal, however the request to end that contract early could make Nelson liable for a breach of contract.

ISD 166 Superintendent Bill Crandall tells WTIP that a special meeting has been scheduled for Monday, December 4 at 5 p.m. Crandall said the purpose of the meeting, to be held in the Jane Mianowski conference room at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, is to accept the resignation and to discuss the future administrative structure.

Kim Belcastro, interim superintendent at the Wrenshall School District, said the Wrenshall School District would like Nelson to start his new job on Jan. 2, 2018. 

Nelson, formerly a social studies teacher at Red Wing High School, has been principal at ISD 166 since June 2013.