Family man: Rewerts scales back workload family

Libby High School Principal Rik Rewerts is a family man.

The walls and desk of his LHS office represent a collection of mementos of fishing, hunting and endeavors with family members. A beautiful five-by-five whitetail taken at Alexander Creek adorns the wall high above his desk and an old black-and-white photo depicts a 10-year-old Rewerts with game taken while pheasant hunting with his father and uncles.

Ask Rewerts to see — or perhaps he will volunteer it — the photo he has stored on his cell phone of his grandson Connor with a 6½ -pound largemouth bass caught while fishing from his 200-horsepower Skeeter boat on Bull Lake. In the photo, young Connor is smiling, but it’s unclear who is the most proud, grandson or grandfather.

Yes, to know this gentle giant of a man — he’s 6-foot-3 — is to know why he’s retiring his administrator’s position at the end of the year.

“I enjoy the outdoors, and I want to spend more time with family,” Rewerts said last week. 

Certainly, that is explanation enough. However, Rewerts, leaning back in the chair in his office, further explained.

“I lost my dad (LaVern) in December,” he said, pausing as if he’s still reconciling the loss. “He was my best friend,” said Rewerts, 56. “My mother is still alive. She lives in Cutbank, and I want to spend time with her. I want to take my grandson fishing. I’ve got a daughter (Shelly) in Billings who I want to see, and grandchildren I want to spend more time with. My wife and I have talked about it, and it’s something we feel like we can do, ” Rewerts said in reference to his bride of 36 years, Diane, a fifth-grade teacher at Libby Elementary.

A son, Nik Rewerts, also teaches at Libby Elementary, as does a daughter-in-law, April.

Nik and April Rewerts have two children, Zade, 20 months, and Lakyn, three months.

Suddenly, all the photos in Rewerts’ office were less like reminders of past experiences, but more like to-do items — notes to self about things that must be accomplished. For Rewerts, the photographs are reminders of great times lived with the promise of more to come.

To achieve this, Rewerts is changing his 65-hour-a-week schedule as principal for a part-time principal’s position that will involve two to three days a week as principal of the middle-high school in Noxon this fall.

“It’s a good fit,” Rewerts said. “It’s where I started my career, was there for two years before coming to Libby.”

The Rewertses have a home in Libby and a cabin on Bull Lake, and as he explained his schedule, the excitement in his eyes grew.

“I will work part-time in Noxon. When I have to be there, I will stay at the cabin. When not, I’ll be home with Diane,” Rewerts said.

Rewerts also gave the impression there will be much time spent at the cabin during the summer. 

“It’s a great place, a nice get-away,” he said showing a photo of him and his grandson Connor in the sleek bass boat.

Rewerts came to Libby in 1981, hiring on as the activities coordinator while teaching physical education and later business before advancing to dean of students, then as assistant principal and finally 10 years ago becoming LHS principal.

Along the way, he helped coach the Loggers’ basketball program for 19 years, 11 as its head coach. He also served as assistant football coach for 10 years, which matches the number of years he has been principal.

Rewerts called the most rewarding affiliation with Logger sports when he coached the 1996 LHS basketball team, which lost by three points in the state finals to Billings Central. 

“It was the most satisfying and maybe the craziest,” Rewerts said. “That was the year the creek froze over, and we didn’t practice for days because it was so dangerous. The players were out there helping the public. Our players were helping with the sandbagging.”

Rewerts was something of an athlete himself, earning All-America football honors as a defensive end at the University of Montana Western. He also played basketball and received NAIA recognition in track and field in the high jump en route to a degree in physical education with an emphasis on business.

Later, he received a master’s degree from the University of Montana in education leadership.

Rewerts said he fears for Libby School District if the mill-levy request doesn’t pass in May, and if it doesn’t it will be difficult to watch the cuts that will follow.

“We’ve been in RIF (reduction in force) mode here for some time,” Rewerts said. “If cuts are made, it may be difficult to continue the way we have been and, frankly, I don’t know if I can be part of tearing down this system that we helped to build.”

So, while Rewerts will move on, his wife, Diane, will continue to serve the district.

“This is something Rik wants to do, and I support him,” Diane Rewerts said. “Being principal is a tough job. He lost his father recently, and he’s made many trips to see his mother, whose health has been failing. (It’s) something he needs to do. Besides, we can always meet at the lake.”

As for Rik Rewerts, he said he feels great every day about his wife.

“Hey, I got lucky with Diane. I know how lucky I am to find a lifetime partner like her,” Rewerts said. “Frankly, she’s out of my class, and I know it.”

Still, as Diane Rewerts and other family members are working in the district, Rewerts said he will watch the process post-mill levy vote with considerable interest.

“I’ll still be here when the vote is taken,” he said. “I just won’t be the one to lead the charge,” he said.

In his letter of resignation, Rewerts thanked his co-workers for their support, specifically mentioning Assistant Principal Jim Germany, who Rewerts endorses as his successor.

“I’m promoting him for it,” Rewerts said of Germany for the principal’s job. “I think we’ve been a pretty good team. In many ways we’re different, but I also think we’re alike, very much the same. It’s a nice mix.”

As for Germany, he looked to Rewerts as something of a mentor.

“Rik’s been pretty straightforward,” Germany said. “He lets and expects people to do their job. I’ve learned from him.”

School Board President Tracy Comeau said she is happy for Rewerts, if it’s something he wants to do. Comeau admitted the loss of his leadership will be tough to replace.

“It’ll be hard to fill his shoes,” she said.

Superintendent of Schools K.W. Maki said he anticipates changes after Rewerts’ retirement.

“It’s going to be different,” Maki said. “Of course, there will be a change in administration, but Rik worked so well with the grants and leading in staff development and getting staff support. He has a presence.”

That presence, when not at Noxon schools, likely will be seen at Bull Lake. It’s like Rewerts signed his letter of resignation, “See you at the lake!”