South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Lindbergh school board honors retiring supeintendent

Sandfort wishes board, staff, community farewell after 17 years as superintendent
Retiring Superintendent Jim Sandfort asked that a resolution honoring him for his years of service to the school district also be presented to his Central Office staff. Pictured, from left, are: Karl Guyer, executive director of planning and development; Nancy Rathjen, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction; Vic Lenz, retired assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction and current board vice president; Ken Fey, Board of Education president; Sandfort; Mary Glynn Meyer, director of community relations; and Rick Francis, assistant superintendent of personnel services. Chief Financial Officer Pat Lanane was unable to attend the June 10 board meeting.
Retiring Superintendent Jim Sandfort asked that a resolution honoring him for his years of service to the school district also be presented to his Central Office staff. Pictured, from left, are: Karl Guyer, executive director of planning and development; Nancy Rathjen, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction; Vic Lenz, retired assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction and current board vice president; Ken Fey, Board of Education president; Sandfort; Mary Glynn Meyer, director of community relations; and Rick Francis, assistant superintendent of personnel services. Chief Financial Officer Pat Lanane was unable to attend the June 10 board meeting.

Lindbergh Board of Education members last week paid tribute to Superintendent Jim Sandfort, who is retiring after leading the district for the past 17 years.

Board members adopted two resolutions honoring Sandfort, who is retiring at the end of the month. One resolution honored Sandfort for his years of service to the district and the second honored him for his leadership in character education. Earlier this year, Sappington Elementary School was named a National School of Character and the Lindbergh School District was recognized as a National District of Character — the only district receiving that honor this year.

Sandfort, who announced in April 2006 that he would retire at the end of the 2007-2008 school year, has served as superintendent since 1991 — the longest tenure in the same school district of any superintendent in St. Louis County. Earlier this year, the board announced that Joplin R-8 School District Superintendent Jim Simpson will succeed Sandfort, effective July 1.

The resolution adopted June 10 honoring Sandfort for his years of service to Lindbergh noted that he “has been a role model to all who have had the opportunity to know him.” The resolution also stated that Sandfort’s “hard work and sacrifices have benefited this district and the results will be felt for generations to come … The Lindbergh School District Board of Education thanks and applauds Dr. James A. Sandfort for all that he has done and recognizes that he truly has a heart for kids and the entire Lindbergh community …”

During the presentation of the resolution to Sandfort, he asked that it also be presented to his Central Office staff — Rick Francis, assistant superintendent of personnel services; Nancy Rathjen, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction; Vic Lenz, retired assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and current board vice president; Karl Guyer, executive director of planning and development; and Mary Glynn Meyer, director of community relations — as well as his secretary, Laura Hecht.

“These folks have met every Monday morning for 17 years or thereabouts. Or if they weren’t around for 17 years, it seems like 17 years … You really appreciate the folks who are closest to you when it comes time to get work done on behalf of kids in this district, so would you present this to all of us?” Sandfort asked.

Board of Education President Ken Fey said, “I would be happy to.”

Sandfort also thanked his wife, saying, “… Mellanie has allowed me for 17 years to pursue my love and passion for education and this school district, and at times I’m sure she thought it was perhaps my first love.

“But it never was and so now we spend time together,” he said to his wife.

Board members presented a variety of gifts, including a fishing pole, to Sandfort.

“And we hope you use it in good health,” Fey said.

Sandfort has been involved in school administration for roughly 35 years. Besides his tenure in Lindbergh, he served as an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and administrative services at the Parkway School District for five years, as a high-school principal in Shawnee Mission East High School in Kansas for 14 years and as an associate principal in instruction at Shawnee Mission South High School in Kansas for one year.

Sandfort thanked board members for their service to the district and community.

“First of all, I want to thank the board — current board and previous boards that I had the opportunity to serve with over the past 17 years,” he said. “You all have done an absolutely remarkable job of keeping the focus on students. We’ve taken advantage of the opportunities. You’ve stepped up to some real challenges. We have some additional challenges … the challenges will never go away. The opportunities will never go away.

“And that’s a good thing because it means that there’s growth. There’s change taking place, and I would like to thank you for your commitment to kids first and foremost. But right behind that there’s always been a concern for this community — to build trust, to maintain that trust and to ask the tough questions of administration on each and every issue.

“And for that, I thank you very much, and I want to thank the staff that’s here and hopefully the word will go out: You’re great. I have loved working with you in every capacity. I wish you all the best. And to the community: Keep on supporting this great district. It’s worth the investment, and every time you invest, it comes back as a payback because we’re creating the next generation of citizens and leaders. Bless you all,” Sandfort concluded.

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