Five resignation were accepted Thursday by District 88 New Ulm School Board and 11 hirings approved as turnover among teachers continued at a high rate.

Supt. T. R. Olson told the board, “I can’t remember a year when we had so much turnover.” He added that he didn’t think jobs were available elsewhere at a higher salary but there was “simply lots of movement” this year.

Those resigning were:

Ronald Hermann, biology teacher at the senior high who has been here eight years.He wrote the board that educational facilities and faculty are excellent. He said his future plans are indefinite but he wants to settle in a town where his wife can be employed as a teacher.

“Also, I was thoroughly disillusioned with the financial rewards in the teaching profession the past two years,” he wrote. Hermann earned $9,935 plus $280 as department head this past year.

Floyd Wurm, senior high social studies teacher who has been here 10 years.Wurm wrote the board he plans to move to a warmer climate, probably California, and reenter private business.

Rhoda Henning Koudela, music instructor at Washington Elementary who has taught here one year. She got married June 29 and her husband works in Fargo.

Richard Pletcher, English and social studies at the senior high, has been here three years. He will become principal of the junior-senior high school at Sioux Valley,and wrote the board he was leaving for professional and monetary advancement.

James Otto, industrial arts at the high school, has been here three years. He has accepted a job in research and development at Scherr-Tumico of St. James.

He wrote the board he was leaving because he had had to teach in three different areas consecutively rather than in his area of concentration and prime interest, and also because he was “discouraged by the limited advancement opportunity in the system.” His salary last year was $7,910. He said he had enjoyed working with the “fine administration and talented staff” in the district.

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The new teachers hired were:

George Marti, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Marti of New Ulm, as elementary music teacher. Marti earned a master’s degree at Mankato State in 1973 and has worked part time at Farmington. His starting salary is $8,200 on the present schedule.

Eugene Brand, whose family was originally from the Swan Lake area, as a senior high social studies teacher at $10,700 per year plus $371 for student council.

Brand earned a master’s degree at the University of Colorado in 1974 and has taught in Denver for six years. Supt. Olson said an experienced teacher was needed since three other senior high social studies teachers will be new next year.

Cleo Vollmer, originally of Sleepy Eye,as fifth grade teacher at Lafayette earning $8,160 per year. Miss Vollmer earned a B.S. degree at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S. D. in 1972 and has taught two years at Tyndall, S.D.

Gloria Voth of St. James as elementary music teacher at $7,200 per year. She earned a B. S. degree at Mankato State in 1974.

Karen Hudson of rural Fairfax as part time home economics teacher at the senior high. Her husband is manager at Fort Ridgely State Park. Mrs. Hudson earned a B. A. degree at University of Minnesota in 1970 and has taught one year. She will teach two hours per day and receive to-fifths pay, $3,022 yearly.

Olson said one of the present home economics teachers is working part time at the vocational center, leaving the high school short-handed.

Robert Qvale of Hopkins as senior high social studies at $7,200. He earned a B. S. degree from Mankato State in 1971 and has no experience.

Harold Lindquist of Mankato, as junior high industrial arts teacher at $7,200. Lindquist earned a B. A. degree from Mankato State in 1974. His position is the only new one among the 11 teachers hired; all others are replacements. The board had previously okayed this new post.

Karen Paolke of Benson as junior high-elementary music and seventh grade chorus teacher at $7,200. She earned a B.A. degree at Mankato State in 1974.

Michael Wieseler of Baudette as senior high industrial arts teacher at $7,200. He earned a B. S. degree from Bemidji State in 1974.

Earl Neist of Austin as senior high industrial arts teacher at $7,200. He earned a B. S. degree from Bemidji State in 1974.

Deborah Stal of Rochester as senior high biology teacher and girls intramural track and gymnastics coach at $7,200 plus $800for coaching. She earned a B. S. degree at Mankato State in 1974.

Olson noted that the district doesn’t advertise for teachers to fill vacancies but works closely with colleges they’ve had good experience with. Only vacancies left are elementary and Title I.

New Ulm Daily Journal

Aug. 2, 1974