Staff photo by Clay Schuldt New District 88 Supt. Sean Koster thanks the school board following acceptance of the 3-year, superintendent contract. Koster will officially begin his duties on July 1, 2023.

NEW ULM — The New Ulm School Board has officially hired Sean Koster as the next District 88 superintendent.

Koster was selected as the new superintendent from an initial pool of 12 candidates. The board agreed to interview five recommended candidates earlier in the month. After the first round of interviews, Koster was identified as the favorite candidate of the school board and community board. He was brought back for a second interview on Tuesday, March 23.

After the second interview, the board agreed he was the best candidate and unanimously agreed to enter into contract negotiation with Koster, following a second interview on March 23.

Harold Remme and Ed Waltman of South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC) finalized the terms of the contract that was signed by Koster and approved by the board during Thursday’s regular school board meeting.

Remme explained some of the details of the contract. The contract is for three years with a salary increase each school year. His salary will be $163,000 for the 2023/2024 school year; $168,000 for the 2024/2025 school year and $173,000 2025/2026 school year. Koster’s contract includes family health insurance; 21 vacation days and 11 holidays. An additional one-time moving expense of $3,000 was added.

“The salaries and benefits in this package are reflections of what is necessary to attract quality candidates in the superintendent market today,” Remme said.

Board member Matt Ringhofer made the motion to approve the three-year contract with Koster with a second from board member Denny Waloch. The motion passed.

Following approval of the contract, Koster addressed the board, saying it was an honor to be selected.

“I know it is going to be a great relationship moving forward,” he said. Koster said he and current Supt. Jeff Bertrang will begin working with each other on a transition plan.

Koster will officially start as Supt. on July 1, 2023.