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At the end of June, I will have completed 30 years in District 47. All of those years have been at the central office in one capacity or another. As Assistant Finance Director, Finance Director, Assistant Superintendent, and finally Superintendent, I have had the pleasure of working with many outstanding individuals. The strength of District 47
lies within the quality of people we have in our schools working with children on a day-to-day basis. While the open atmosphere in the district allows me the privilege of communicating with all of our employees, the majority of my contacts have been with the building principals. The meetings, the planning, the celebrations, the difficult conversations, and the teamwork all lead to an unspoken bond that grows stronger over time. At the end of this school year, District 47 will be losing three principals to retirement that have dedicated a majority, if not all, of their careers to providing educational excellence to all students.
Rick Carlstedt began his career as a social studies teacher in District 47 in 1973. In 1984 he was appointed Assistant Principal at North Middle School (currently Bernotas Middle School) and then went on to become Principal of Lundahl Middle School in the fall of 1989, where he has served admirably for the past 17 years. Rick’s many years in the middle school setting has given him a special insight into the intricacies that make up a young adolescent. He appreciates and understands the issues that face a child as he leaves the elementary school setting and enters the world of middle school. Because of his experience, knowledge, and problem solving skills, Rick was a great sounding board for me when I became Superintendent 4 years ago. The commitment that Mr. Carlstedt brought to District 47 for the past 33 years will be greatly missed.
Al Cunningham also began teaching for District 47 in 1973 as a Physical Education teacher at Lundahl Middle School. After a brief hiatus to pursue an administrative opportunity, Al returned to the district as Principal of North Elementary in 1991. Nothing more needs to be said other than the students, parents, and teachers love the principal known as “Mr. C”. Al’s priority has always been to make the halls, playgrounds, and classrooms as warm, friendly, and safe as they could be for everyone in the building. He loves children and has always worked to make North School a safe haven for every child that walked through the doors. I will certainly miss his calm demeanor and his unwavering commitment to do what is best for kids.
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Last but certainly not least is Connie Rasmussen. Connie began her career in 1970 as a kindergarten teacher. In September of 1993 she moved directly from the classroom into the Principalship at West
Elementary School. Connie has faced the challenges of a growing school population with changing demographics while never losing sight of the importance of providing a quality education for every student at West. While facing the demands of being a building principal, she never lost the loving, caring, and nurturing attributes that go with being an outstanding primary grade teacher. She demonstrated to me time and time again that there is more to being a principal than “managing” the school.
Great leaders hope their replacements take what has been established and build on it to make the organization or school even better. Rick, Al, and Connie can retire knowing they have had a positive impact on thousands of children and their legacy will continue as Lundahl Middle School, North Elementary School, and West Elementary School continue to improve. It has been a pleasure serving with them and I will miss having them as a part of my administrative team. I know I am a better administrator having known them and
worked with them over these past 30 years.
- Ronald R. Miller, Superintendent of Schools
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