Troy's Wendt to resign

Troy Superintendent of Schools Dan Wendt tendered his resignation from the Troy School District at Wednesday’s budget meeting. It will go into effect June 30.

Wendt was hired in an intern role, served a year and a half, and resigned with enough time to give Troy School Board a chance to look for a replacement.

“I want to take what I’ve learned in Troy and apply them to a new setting,” Wendt said. “Troy School District gave me a wonderful opportunity. I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”

His announcement at the budget meeting didn’t come entirely as a shock, said Board President John Konzen.

“He had kind of indicated earlier that he was going to do that,” Konzen said. “The board wishes him the best of luck in his endeavors.” 

Wendt, formerly the principal at Cut Bank High School, said his years learning how to be a superintendent haven’t been easy.

“Being a superintendent is a thankless job,” he said. “If you don’t have people mad at you, you aren’t doing a good job.”

Even with the backlash from the position and the learning pains as a superintendent, Wendt admits he has much to improve on at his next position, wherever that may be.

“Experience would have helped in this position with some of the choices I’ve made,” he said. “I think I have not communicated well enough with the staff and the board. I should have built on their strengths.”

Wendt’s announcement comes in the face of the grim reality of Troy’s school budget.

Konzen said Troy would have to cut the budget by more than $120,000. Nothing is finalized, but he says it will almost assuredly impact personnel.  

A proposed idea would be to combine one of the school’s administrators with the position of superintendent. 

Jacob Francom, principal of Troy High School, is certified for the position, but says he is not interested.

“No, I don’t want that job,” he said. “I’ve set goals for the school, and I’d leave them in a lurch.”

Francom, pursuing an advanced degree this year, said his interest might change in a year or two.

As for Wendt, he sees himself working as superintendent at another small school district.

“I’m looking at a B or C school district,” Wendt said. “I’m not looking to a AA school. Me and big don’t go well together.”