By Brenda Erdahl
Joe Dockendorf, retired administrator at Monticello Schools will assume duties as a long-term principal substitute at Maple Lake Elementary School on March 1.
The Maple Lake School Board gave its approval at the Monday, Feb. 12 regular meeting.
Dockendorf will replace Kris Harlan who assumed the duties for Andy Sawatzke who suffered a stroke shortly after the start of the school year in September.
Dockendorf is a familiar face at Maple Lake schools. He taught fifth and sixth grades in the early 1990s and was the MLE principal from 1996 to 1999.
From Maple Lake, Dockendorf went to Monticello Schools where he worked in various administrative capacities, including as assistant superintendent until the end of last year when he retired.
He remains active in the schools, serving where needed. Currently, he is finishing up a two-month commitment as temporary dean of students at Monticello Middle School. Dockendorf will substitute as MLE principal until the end of April.
Dockendorf said he is excited to return to Maple Lake even if it’s just for a short time.
“Who does one job then 25 years later gets to return. I can’t wait to meet all the kids and I can’t wait to work with some of the staff I worked with 25 years ago,” he said.
According to Mr. Sawatzke’s CaringBridge page, the well-liked MLE principal is at home and recovering in the care of his family.
In other news, the school board:
• Approved selling old auditorium surplus equipment through a sealed bid process.
• Accepted a $15,000 grant to replace outdated drinking fountains in the district’s gymnasium areas.
• Heard the school district held its first Curriculum Committee meeting with parents and district committee members in February. The main topic of discussion was the district Reading Act alignment.
• Heard that the project to raise sponsorship for a high-tech video score board is going well, and the project looks good to go for this summer. School officials said at an earlier meeting the goal will be to install the score boards during the summer for next school year. The school board will officially approve the project once all sponsor spots are filled.