April 17: New Prior Lake-Savage school superintendent eager to begin

The incoming Prior Lake-Savage schools superintendent, Sue Ann Gruver, acknowledged Thursday that she has big shoes to fill and an equally large task ahead: helping pass an operating levy in November in a district that has seen $3.4 million in cuts in the last three years.

Gruver, assistant superintendent in the Mahtomedi Public Schools, accepted the job soon after the school board offered it to her Wednesday night.

"This is just a school district that I knew would be a great fit for me," Gruver said Thursday. "I love the communities, and that sense of partnership that's throughout all the schools. They all work together."

Gruver has been in her role with Mahtomedi since 2005. She's also worked as an elementary school principal, as well as the director of learning and accountability for Mahtomedi Public Schools.

The school board plans to approve her employment on April 28, and work out a contract with her in May. Her start date is July 1.

Current Superintendent Tom Westerhaus, who will be the superintendent in River Falls, Wis., next year, announced in November that he would leave the Prior Lake-Savage district at the end of the school year. He is leaving because a high school employee who was fired on his recommendation -- Chris Lind -- was elected to the school board.

In a letter to staff at the time, Westerhaus said he "can no longer work in this district. The election to the board of a former employee, whom I had progressively disciplined and ultimately recommended for final dismissal ... confirmed for me that it was time to move on. The community has spoken through this election."

Some community members speculated that the controversy that erupted over Westerhaus' resignation would deter future superintendent candidates. But for Gruver, Westerhaus was one of the job's biggest advocates.

"I really appreciated [his] enthusiasm for the district when I met with him," she said. "He could say nothing bad about it, and he just absolutely loves the culture."

The Prior Lake-Savage district has challenges ahead of it, she said, including passing the levy. And she acknowledges Westerhaus was a popular superintendent, making him a tough act to follow.

She plans to focus on open communication and the needs of the children in the district instead of the controversy that's divided their parents.

"Every school board has issues that they need to resolve and I'm planning, as I come in, that I can build on those good relationships that have been there in the past and heal some of the situations that have been hard on everyone," she said. "I'm just very honored to have this opportunity."

Emily Johns • 952-882-9056