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Hills-Beaver Creek teachers, staff and school board members gathered around Glenda Kuehl in the high school library Friday afternoon to celebrate her retirement.
Kuehl has been with the district for 25 years, first in the elementary library and since 2001 as business manager.
She said it’s been hard to let go of a job she’s cared about for so many years.
“It’s my baby,” she said Friday, sporting a shiny sash that read, “Retired.”
She said she enjoyed the variety of work — running reports, ordering supplies and books and helping her office co-workers.
But the long list of responsibilities will also be difficult for a new business manager to learn.
Attention to details
She’s been working with her replacement, Amanda Rozeboom, since Oct. 7, and Kuehl said she’s confident the district will be in good hands.
“She pays attention to details, and that will help,” she said about Rozeboom. “I just don’t want her to get overwhelmed at first.”
Her advice to the new girl? "Be patient with yourself as you are learning the job,” Kuehl said.
“It can be overwhelming and ever-changing, but I am confident you will succeed.”
But she also encouraged Rozeboom to enjoy her workplace environment.
“Enjoy your time with the staff,” Kuehl said. “That’s the best part about this job.”
Rozeboom, who graduated from H-BC in 1995, said that’s a big reason why she applied for the position.
“I’ve always loved being at the school, and the teachers and staff are very caring and helpful,” she said. “I like knowing that I’m helping out the community and being part of it.”
Rozeboom said she’s grateful to have had training time with Kuehl. “It’s going to be some hard shoes to fill,” she said. “Hopefully I can follow in her footsteps.”
Rozeboom has spent most of her professional career as an accountant with Eisma Law Office in Luverne, and Holthaus said the district is fortunate to have found someone with Rozeboom’s skills who cares about H-BC.
“She was a known commodity,” he said. “She’s local, she’s worked in the district previously as a paraprofessional and she has skills in numbers and working in a law office.”
‘I’ll miss her wisdom’
Kuehl’s last day is Oct. 31, and Holthaus said he will miss her.
“I’ll miss her wisdom,” he said. She was very knowledgeable in the craft of school finance. … She was very efficient and proficient.”
He sang Kuehl’s praises at the July 8 School Board meeting when the board accepted her resignation.
“[She] has been a great asset to the Hills-Beaver Creek School District … and has worked tirelessly to ensure that the district finances are in order.”
He said he often noticed Kuehl’s dedication to the district.
“I appreciate Mrs. Kuehl’s positive get-it-done attitude that she always displays,” Holthaus said.
“Mrs. Kuehl is motivated by doing the right thing for H-BC students, and I wish her well as she moves on to a different life focus. She will be missed.”
Board member Dan LaRock expressed similar sentiments.
“H-BC has benefited from Glenda’s leadership in her role as business manager,” he said. “She’s definitely going to be missed.”
Kuehl said last week that she’s looking forward to retirement and the free time it will bring.
“My plans are to spend more time with family, friends, travel and hobbies,” she said.