Kurt Stumpf was recently named to replace Julie Tripp as the new principal of Sartell Middle School, starting in the next school year.
Stumpf has been assistant principal at the middle school since 2012. He has also been employed as dean of students at Little Falls Community Middle School and as a math teacher and coach in the Pierz School District.
Tripp will retire next year after 25 years at Sartell Middle School, 15 of them as a language-arts teacher. She served as assistant principal for six years and as the middle-school principal since 2011.
Stumpf has agreed verbally to accept the position. He will be on the school board’s agenda for approval at its April 20 board meeting.
“I’m excited to continue working with the great team at Sartell Middle School,” Stumpf said in a press release. “The collaboration of amazing staff members, dedicated students, involved parents and a supportive community continue to make the Sartell-St. Stephen School District extraordinary. I look forward to continuing the rich tradition of educational excellence at SMS.”
Stumpf has served as a leader on several district teams, including the Safe and Supportive Schools Committee, Teacher Evaluation Implementation Team and the Student Advisory Curriculum Team. He has also shared his expertise in positive-behavior intervention systems and supporting full-access initiatives.
Sartell-St. Stephen School District Superintendent Jeff Schwiebert said Stumpf stood out from a field of candidates because of his leadership skills.
“We had an excellent pool of candidates from which to choose,” Schwiebert said. “Kurt came to the top of the pool because of his strong instructional leadership capabilities. Kurt has a strong history with us and will continue to be an excellent part of the administrative team and our district.”
