The Worthington Independent District 518 Board of Education unanimously voted to select Joel Heitkamp as the district’s next superintendent during a special meeting Monday night.
Heitkamp is a 1999 graduate of Worthington High School who currently serves as the executive director of operations for the St. Cloud Area School District. He taught in the St. Cloud district after earning his teaching degree from St. Cloud State University. He later earned a master's degree in teaching and learning in 2007 and an administrative license in 2017. He served as assistant principal beginning that year at South Junior High in St. Cloud and became principal at that school in 2020 before taking his current position this past July.
“Joel has demonstrated through his experience and skills he has the qualifications necessary to lead District 518 forward," District 518 Board Chair Adam Blume said. "His students-first decision making, focus on collaboration and strong communication, along with his dedication to ensure a safe, inclusive and welcoming learning environment for all students make him the right fit for our district."
Both Heiktamp and another candidate, Douglas Van Zyl, interviewed with the District 518 board on Friday. Afterward, board members moved to conduct another interview with Heitkamp on Monday while giving him the opportunity to tour the district's schools with its administrators. Monday's interview with the board was open to the public and lasted a little more than an hour.
The school board will now conduct negotiations with Heitkamp, with a contract expected to be approved by the school board during its Feb. 18 regular meeting in the Worthington High School band room. The pending start date for the new superintendent is July 1.
