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SD U-46 superintendent visits Larkin High, spotlights dean's assistant known as 'The Colonel'
Summary
Suzanne Johnson, superintendent of SD U-46, visited Larkin High School and highlighted the role of Dean's Assistant Jeff Kerber in maintaining school security, decorum and student relationships during a brief on-site visit recorded in the meeting transcript.
Suzanne Johnson, superintendent of SD U-46, visited Larkin High School and introduced Jeff Kerber, the school's dean's assistant, during a brief on-site exchange captured in the meeting transcript. Crystal Bush, principal of Larkin High School, opened the segment by welcoming Johnson and noting excitement about the superintendent's visit.
Johnson framed Kerber's role as a daily presence supporting students and staff. "And today, I have the pleasure of being at the Larkin High School with Dean's assistant, Jeff Kerber," Johnson said. She later noted the breadth of the position, telling Kerber, "you're teaching from 07:40 to 02:55 every minute of the day as you're building those connections and helping support our students and our and our team members."
Kerber described his duties as focused on school safety, continuity and building relationships. "My role as the Dean's Assistant is to provide security and continuity and assistance basically to the school, make it function properly and keep everything running smoothly," he said. He added that the position differs from classroom teaching but allows him "to give back and to keep in touch with the younger people."
Principal Crystal Bush highlighted students' visible rapport with Kerber during the walkthrough. As staff and students passed in the hallway, Bush said Kerber was popular with greetings and high fives and that students responded when he reminded them to get to class or go to lunch. Kerber and Bush also acknowledged a school nickname: students call him "the colonel," a moniker Bush referenced while introducing him.
The exchange focused on the role support staff play in day-to-day school climate rather than policy or district decisions. The visit did not include discussion of agenda items, formal motions, funding decisions or changes to district policy in the transcript.
Observation of this visit underscores the superintendent's emphasis on school climate and the way front-line staff positions such as dean's assistant interact with students across the school day.
