Le Sueur-Henderson board accepts Superintendent Jim Wagner’s resignation, names internal interim

The Le Sueur-Henderson School District Board of Education unanimously accepted Superintendent Jim Wagner’s resignation and voted to release him from his contract during a special meeting on June 22.

The chair opened item 4.1 noting that Wagner had been offered a position in Prior Lake that begins July 1, 2026. “We as a school board have to accept your resignation and release you from your contract,” the chair said before the board moved and voted 6-0 to accept the resignation.

Board members praised Wagner’s five years with the district and credited collaborative work on facilities and programming. “It’s been a team effort,” one director said, thanking Wagner for his leadership.

With Wagner’s departure imminent, the human resources committee recommended naming Darren Kern, the district’s elementary lead principal who holds a superintendent license, as interim superintendent for a one-year term. The board discussed the benefits of an internal interim who knows district operations and culture, then authorized the board chair and vice chair to enter into negotiations for an interim contract; that motion also passed 6-0.

The board approved a tentative staffing transition in which Katie, who serves as assistant principal and director of instruction, would move into the elementary principal role if Kern assumes the interim superintendent post. The board voted to give Kern authority to draft a tentative 30-60-90 plan addressing hiring the interim, elementary leadership transitions, and operational needs.

Discussion of the 30-60-90 plan included transportation logistics and facilities maintenance. Board members noted that transportation vendors and bus deliveries were largely in place and raised the need to identify maintenance space and staffing during the transition. The chair said the board would meet weekly with the interim at first to support the transition and suggested connecting Kern with a mentor through the South Central service co to help with early decisions.

Board members estimated a formal superintendent search would likely take at least three months from posting to final selection, with some suggesting a four-month timeline to allow for candidate recruitment and interviews. The board agreed that timing of a full search could be decided later and that the interim period would provide time to set goals and evaluate next steps.

Because the district needs an interim in place by July 1 and the next regular board meeting is July 6, the board scheduled a short meeting for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to approve an interim contract if negotiations are completed. The board approved that meeting and adjourned its special meeting by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance: - Accept Superintendent Jim Wagner’s resignation and release from contract: Motion from Director Haway; second from Director Schwarz; vote 6-0 (approved). - Authorize board chair and vice chair to enter negotiations with the interim candidate (Darren Kern): mover not specified on the record; second from Director Haway; vote 6-0 (approved). - Approve giving Darren Kern authority to draft a tentative restructuring/transition plan: mover recorded as Chair; second not specified on the record; vote 6-0 (approved). - Approve the 30-60 plan with edits and schedule meeting to finalize interim contract: Motion from Director Schwarz; second not specified on the record; vote 6-0 (approved). - Set meeting for next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to consider the interim contract: Motion from Director W.; second from Director Luna; vote 6-0 (approved). - Adjournment: Motion from Director Lyn; second from Director Schwarz; vote 6-0 (approved).

What happens next: Board leaders said they will complete negotiations with the interim candidate and, if terms are reached, hold a short meeting Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to approve the interim contract so the district can have leadership in place by July 1. If negotiations are not concluded, the board said it will reconvene quickly to consider alternatives.