“The biggest factor in getting families with school-age children to move in is the availability of jobs,” Wellen said. “If the job market in the area grows, our enrollment has a solid chance to mirror that growth.”
NRHEG’s fairly predictable enrollment numbers helps tremendously when pinning down the necessary funds for the district. Since the high school still boasts three sections per grade level, the district is able to offer “a wide range of classes.”
“With three sections per grade level (approximately 70-90 students per grade), we offer three years of Spanish, math through calculous and a wide variety of vocational classes,” Wellen said. “We have the personnel to offer these classes without having to worry too much about having teachers getting licensed in multiple subjects.”
Class sizes for kindergarten through second grade runs at about 20 students. For third through sixth, the target size is 25 students. Then, each high school classroom has approximately 27 students.
“Of course we have programs including special education, specialists (art, computer, physicaleducation) and elementary reading and math specialists, which have a more varied target number based on programs and needs,” Wellen said.
Now in his fifth year as NRHEG’s Superintendent, Wellen remains pleased with each and every single one of the 160 employees in the district. Whether they are cooks, custodians, administrators, drivers, teachers, paraprofessionals or clerical staff, their enthusiasm is obvious.
“The passion of the staff at NRHEG that is focused on students is tremendous,” Wellen said. “This makes it much easier to move forward as an educational community. This means hiring the right people and giving them the necessary support.”
His job is never at a standstill. He along with everyone else is always evaluating how things could improve, both for students and their success.
“My goals are to get the best staff employed and provide them with the resources they need to provide all of our students with an education that will prepare them to compete in the global market,” Wellen said. “If we can do that on a budget that the taxpayers can afford, I will consider it a successful year.”
There’s always a minimum of four to five projects in progress on his desk. Once one thing wraps up, “another one quickly steps in.” Sometimes, truly unexpected things happen like the flood, legislative changes and the impact of state and federal budget changes on the NRHEG district.
“When it really piles up and my brain feels full, I go visit a classroom or a student activity,” Wellen said. “A short time seeing the fun the kids are having gets me refreshed and ready to go.”
Rarely, are two days the same for Wellen. He reviews curriculum, hires staff, reviews budgets and negotiates contracts. But, that’s not all.
“With the help of great staff members, I also handle soliciting bids, communicating with the media, lobbying the legislature, setting the agenda for the School Board, making opportunities to get to know the students and leading the leaders in the District,” Wellen said.
It’s true that the district has gotten “slightly smaller” over the past few years. But, Wellen reassures everyone that most rural districts are experiencing the same trends.
“Our school system is big enough to offer level of programs comparable to what you might expect to find in much larger schools,” Wellen said.
He just can’t say enough about his job and everyone involved in it.
“I feel like we have a fantastic staff across all levels,” Wellen said. “They make the buildings a welcoming place to walk into and a pleasant place to stay. We are small enough where everyone knows everyone. We have generated a real feeling of family in each building.”
