New RV superintendent will be sixth in school's history

Since the formation of Royal Valley and the consolidation of the Hoyt and Mayetta high schools in the fall of 1971, this district has only had five superintendents.

After a special meeting set for Wednesday evening, that number will be six, and a new chapter in the school’s history will begin.

Supt. John Rundle said Tuesday that a special meeting has been scheduled for 8 p.m. today to approve the superintendent contract for one of three candidates —  Dr. Kelly Arnberger, Aaric Davis and Jerry Hodson — to take over for Rundle, who has served as the district’s leader since August 2001. The board is not releasing the name of the new superintendent until after the meeting, as that person is still under contract, Rundle added.

Before moving ahead, here is a glimpse at the previous leadership in the district, which includes past superintendents George Meeker, Fred Staker, Sam Ulsaker and Marceta Reilly and current superintendent Rundle.

* George Meeker was the first superintendent for Royal Valley, which formed in the 1971-1972 school year. At that time, only the high school students from Mayetta and Hoyt were combined into one building.

According to the files of The Holton Recorder, Royal Valley High School had 152 students that first year and was assigned as a Class AA school.

Meeker submitted his retirement notice to the board of education in February 1976 after 31 years in education.

* Fred Staker served the district as superintendent for 16 years after he was hired during the summer of 1976. Prior to working for the district, Staker was principal at Mulvane High School. He resigned on March 19, 1992 to take a job in Sharon Springs.

* Sam Ulsaker of Hutchinson was hired from a field of 40 applicants on May 21, 1992 to replace Staker. Ulsaker’s career at RV was cut short when, in February 1993, he was placed on a 30-day leave by the board of education.

According to an article in The Holton Recorder from 1992, Ulsaker’s suspension was “not due to any criminal conduction, embezzlement or moral depravity” but instead was based on communication and personnel problems, as well as budgetary concerns.

The board of education terminated the district’s contract with Ulsaker at the end of March, and John Rundle, who was serving as the administrative assistant at that time, temporarily filled the position.

* Marceta Reilly, a Hoyt resident, was hired as superintendent in June 1993 and served in that capacity for eight years. Reilly had previously worked in the district, teaching kindergarten, third and fourth grades.

* John Rundle took the reins of USD 337 as superintendent in August 2001 and is wrapping up 15 years as superintendent. Rundle worked for Royal Valley for five years at the middle school as a language arts teacher, eight years as the elementary school principal and then 12 years as curriculum director and assistant superintendent. He has worked for the district a total of 40 years.

In January, Rundle announced he would retire at the end of the current school year.