By Lori EhdeDuring a noon staffing workshop Monday, Luverne Superintendent Vince Schaefer announced to School Board members he intends to resign."Sometimes you get to a point when change is good," Schaefer said when asked why he’s leaving. "It’s just time for a change."Schaefer accepted a position with the Beresford, S.D. school district, which is about 30 miles south of Sioux Falls.He’s no stranger to South Dakota education, having served as superintendent of the Viborg, S.D., district prior to taking the helm in Madelia.Schaefer came to Luverne from Madelia in 1999, and his wife, Phyllis, has been a kindergarten teacher in Luverne as well."These last six years have gone by very fast," he said.He said he’d like to look back on highlights of improvements and accomplishments for the district, but unfortunately, he said it’s been a time frame marked by financial struggles."When you try to be the educational leader of a school district, and that role is to downsize the district, it’s a difficult role to be in," Schaefer said."State financing these past few years has been the most challenging part of my job."He said Luverne can be proud of its teachers and students for maintaining excellence despite all the cuts in staff and programming."I really hope that the community rallies together in November and passes the referendum," Schaefer said."It’s very important to the future of the school district to have the referendum in place."Outside of difficult financial decisions he’s been involved in over the past six years, Schaefer said he’s enjoyed Luverne and its people."I’ve had the opportunity to work with wonderful staff and I’ve had great board support," he said. "The community involvement has been great, and pride in the school has been outstanding."The board will receive his official resignation, during the May 12 meeting. It will be effective June 30.Board Chair Becky Walgrave said the board will start looking immediately to fill the position."I’m really sad to see him go. It’s hard to think about replacing him," Walgrave said."He’s been a really good superintendent. It’s been a tough time with finances, and he’s done a really good job recommending cuts and leading us through that."