Lac qui Parle Valley Schools accepts superintendent resignation, approves limited MSBA search and consultant contract
April 14, 2026 | Lac qui Parle Valley Schools, School Boards, Minnesota
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The Lac qui Parle Valley Schools board on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Superintendent Scott Manka and moved immediately to begin recruiting his successor, voting unanimously to authorize a limited search through the Minnesota School Boards Association and to approve an hourly consulting contract with Rick Ellingsworth.
The board voted to accept Manka’s resignation after confirming his notice was on file and that the resignation had been accepted the prior morning. The acceptance was made by motion and approved by roll-call votes from board members Shannon, Scott, Corey and Ken.
The board then reviewed proposals for an executive search. The presenter said the district has run full searches in the past that cost about $11,000 and recommended a limited MSBA search, estimated at $2,900, because much of the groundwork is already in place. Lee was identified as the point of contact for MSBA and will join the board Thursday to describe the limited-search process and to provide sample materials. The board approved the MSBA limited search by motion; the roll-call vote was unanimous.
Separately, the board approved an educational leadership services contract for Rick Ellingsworth, described as mentorship and liaison support for the transition. The contract is priced at $100 per hour with a maximum cap of $5,000. The presenter noted that combining the limited MSBA search and the Ellingsworth contract would total about $7,900, compared with roughly $11,000 for a full search. That contract was approved by motion and unanimous roll-call vote.
Board members asked colleagues to review the draft recruitment brochure and the proposed timeline before a scheduled Thursday meeting with Warren and Ellingsworth to finalize details, including any updates to the brochure and a recommended starting salary or salary range to post with the vacancy.
The board completed routine business and adjourned. No further formal actions were taken at the meeting.
The board voted to accept Manka’s resignation after confirming his notice was on file and that the resignation had been accepted the prior morning. The acceptance was made by motion and approved by roll-call votes from board members Shannon, Scott, Corey and Ken.
The board then reviewed proposals for an executive search. The presenter said the district has run full searches in the past that cost about $11,000 and recommended a limited MSBA search, estimated at $2,900, because much of the groundwork is already in place. Lee was identified as the point of contact for MSBA and will join the board Thursday to describe the limited-search process and to provide sample materials. The board approved the MSBA limited search by motion; the roll-call vote was unanimous.
Separately, the board approved an educational leadership services contract for Rick Ellingsworth, described as mentorship and liaison support for the transition. The contract is priced at $100 per hour with a maximum cap of $5,000. The presenter noted that combining the limited MSBA search and the Ellingsworth contract would total about $7,900, compared with roughly $11,000 for a full search. That contract was approved by motion and unanimous roll-call vote.
Board members asked colleagues to review the draft recruitment brochure and the proposed timeline before a scheduled Thursday meeting with Warren and Ellingsworth to finalize details, including any updates to the brochure and a recommended starting salary or salary range to post with the vacancy.
The board completed routine business and adjourned. No further formal actions were taken at the meeting.
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