NUHS administrators retiring Careers with District 88 span three decades

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- On the eve of their last day at school, New Ulm High School Principal Richard LaPatka and Assistant Principal David Schmidt reflected on their jobs, the changes they'd seen through more than three decades of service each -- and, with the inevitable twinkle in the eye, on each other.

LaPatka and Schmidt's careers have been closely intertwined since 1969, when they joined the New Ulm school district as, respectively, social studies and English teacher.

LaPatka came from a school in Michigan where he'd taught social studies; Schmidt was fresh out of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D.

They sort of traced each other's steps on unusually many occasions: both coached basketball and baseball; both were closely involved with the STABLE program, the National Honor Society and the Student Council; both obtained training in education administration -- around the same time and at the same school, Minnesota State University, Mankato.

LaPatka and Schmidt moved on to administrative jobs with District 88 in 1985 together -- LaPatka as assistant principal at the Senior High, and Schmidt as assistant principal at the Junior High.

A couple of years after LaPatka became NUHS principal and Schmidt's own job at the junior high was cut in budget trimming in 1992, Schmidt took up the Senior High assistant principalship that had been vacated by LaPatka. For the first year, Schmidt combined the job with the athletic director position (That year is a time Schmidt looks back to as being one of his most challenging, in terms of juggling responsibilities.)

The two divided their responsibilities, with LaPatka responsible for scheduling and hiring and Schmidt primarily for discipline. Although, Schmidt says, unlike counterparts elsewhere, LaPatka never shrank for disciplining duties.

As the two men addressed the usual set of pre-retirement questions, they painted a picture of a working relationship based on a mutual respect and a shared professional goal -- creating a good, safe learning environment for kids that would challenge them to realize their full potential.

The principals also both operated on the belief that all that kids need is clear expectations, fairness and consistency.

"We don't necessarily have the same methods of getting to an end," said Schmidt. "But I think we are both consistent, methodical, and think things through. Our goals are the same: a safe environment that encourages kids to grow."

"I've always said, the guy who's in charge is the boss," he continued. "I can disagree with something, and I'd express my disagreement -- but this is what I teach kids, too -- we all take directions from somebody."

"Professional disagreement has never gotten in the way of our friendship," LaPatka agreed. "We've had an excellent professional relationship; we've gone through good times and bad times ..."

During the conversation, the principals were predictably appreciative of each other ("hardest-working guy I met," said Schmidt, of LaPatka, for example).

They often agreed with each other -- especially when they looked back to positive relationships with kids, staff and community.

"My best memory? The kids, as they've gone through; they still think enough of you to have contact," LaPatka said, remembering phone calls from students, many years after graduation.

Getting to know the kids closely is what you miss out on, by being in administration, he said. "Those were the best times, weren't they, Dave?" he said at one point, referring to their early teaching days.

"I've loved working with the students, I love their enthusiasm, the fact that they are creative, flexible, not set in their ways," added Schmidt. Then, with a smile, "I admit, it's easier for me to work with students than with staff."

The principals "shared their share" of disappointments, too -- the increasing state interference with education; or the pain of seeing programs that involved a lot of thought and effort to create, disappear in the wake of budget cuts.

"Up until 10-12 years ago, education was more in the hands of the local district," said LaPatka. "Now the state controls virtually everything. With that, schools have been expected to go things that have no educational relevance. There's a price to be paid for that, in my opinion. ... There's something wrong with kids being guinea pig for politicians."

"You have to prove it to me that kids now are better educated than 30 years ago," agreed Schmidt. "There are far too many things that are not educationally related. We are expected to pick up the pieces from, well, society ..."

The principals were also adamant about the joys of the profession -- and especially working in this town -- far outweighing struggles with mandates.

"Just like anyone else, I've had opportunities to move," said Schmidt. "I've stayed, partly because my sons were in athletics, but mostly because I never felt there was a community more supportive of education than New Ulm."

In a similar vein, LaPatka expressed his appreciation of mentors, co-workers and subordinates alike. "During 34 years in this building, I've seen a ton of people -- so many neat people, all of them dedicated professionals ... This is a demanding job, and they've persisted, purely for love of the kids ..."

"We have a good, safe learning environment, as good a curriculum as many places; we are large enough to offer good education -- and still small enough to feel like a family."

There were the sad stories. ("There's nothing harder than telling someone their services are not longer needed because of budget cuts," said LaPatka).

Tthere were also the cute anecdotes. Schmid recounted a time when LaPatka, a probation officer and himself searched a house (with a parent's permission) for a truant student. The three approached the matter scientifically, each "taking" a different level of the house; but the student was not found. The next day, they tried again; this time there was a woman at the door. "Oh, so and so?," she said. "He lives across the street."

As the principals look forward to retirement, they both intend to devote more time to their children and grandchildren.

Schmidt claims he has no special plans: other than fishing, travelling woodworking, gardening, reading, writing, and spending time at his farm, that is.

LaPatka, in turn, is looking forward to travelling and spending time at his family's lake home in northern Minnesota, in part renewing high school friendships.

And, to steal an irresistible thought from a piece written on this retirement occasion by a former co-worker of both, current school board member Carol Ackerson, "if the walleye open their mouths to complain about anything, they will be eaten!"