Arndt, Mielke named as principals for next school year

by Dennis Dalman

news@thenewsleaders.com

The Sartell-St. Stephen school district recently named two principals who will start their new jobs next year – Laura Arndt at Sartell Middle School and Jason Mielke at Oak Ridge Elementary School.

This past year, Arndt served as the middle school’s assistant principal. Mielke was principal for the Foley Elementary School last year.

Arndt

Laura Arndt will replace Sartell Middle School Principal Kurt Stumpf who resigned to become the superintendent of the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton school district in southern Minnesota’s Waseca County.

Before becoming the middle school’s assistant principal, Arndt was an instructional coach for Sartell’s Oak Ridge Elementary School. Before that, she was employed in the Sauk Rapids-Rice school district as a teacher and instructional coach.

“I have been fortunate to be surrounded by amazing educators who have made a tremendous impact on my life both personally and professionally,” Arndt said after learning of her selection to be principal. “My goal as an educator has always been to have that same impact on others.”

In announcing her selection, Sartell-St. Stephen school district Superintendent Jeff Schwiebert stated this in a press release:

“I am excited for Laura Arndt to transition into her new roles and know that she will serve the district well. She is an outstanding instructional leader who always keeps the best interest of our students at the forefront of her work.”

Mielke

Mielke will take the position formerly held by Oak Ridge Principal Kip Lynk, who will become a principal leadership specialist at the Southwest Prairie Regional Center of Excellence in Marshall. Lynk served as principal in Sartell for five years.

Mielke has had extensive experience with programs for early childhood and elementary students. Schwiebert said those talents are perfect qualifications for Mielke’s new job because, starting in the 2020-2021 school year, Oak Ridge will become the district’s site for pre-school and kindergarten.

A native of Annandale, Mielke has had extensive experience as a teacher, a principal and a coach. Besides his being principal last year in Foley, he was also principal of the Rush City school district in eastern Minnesota. He also served as a sixth-grade teacher in the Wadena-Deer Creek school district where he was hired in 2011. There, he coached junior varsity boys’ basketball and was the assistant cross-country coach. In 2007-2008 he had multiple coaching duties at Park Rapids High School and from 2003-2005 he coached varsity girls’ basketball in the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle school district. He has also coached in the West Fargo and St. Michael-Albertville districts.