Brooke Johnson promoted as Pines’ St. Germain principal

The Northland Pines Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting last week, and in a closed session voted to approve the promotion of Eagle River Elementary School assistant principal, Brooke Johnson, to principal of St. Germain Elementary School and Northland Pines Montessori Learning Center. Johnson will replace Tony Duffek, current principal of St. Germain Elementary School, who will move on as the new district administrator, effective July 1.

This chain reaction of shifting positions began when current district administrator Scott Foster announced his retirement last April after nearly 30 years working for the district. The last day of his eight-year term as district administrator will be June 30. Duffek was selected as Foster’s replacement by the school board following a lengthy interview and selection process.

In a recent press release issued by the board of education, Duffek said that he supports the selection of Johnson to fill the role as principal.

“The interview committee and I believe that Brooke has demonstrated the skills, passion and leadership to make an amazing principal,” he said.

For her part, Johnson shared her willingness to give the new role everything she has.

While enthusiastic about a new career challenge in St. Germain, Johnson said after the announcement that she will miss her daily contacts in Eagle River.

“This is a little bittersweet for me because I will miss working with Gretchen Smart-Hall (current principal at Eagle River Elementary School) and others who have been very supportive since I started in the district, but I am eager and ready to work with the school staff in St. Germain, and with the extended community of students and families.”

Johnson has 17 years of experience as an educator in Wisconsin and has worked for the Pines school district since 2023, initially as an elementary instructional coach before being promoted to assistant principal at Eagle River Elementary School.

She holds a Masters of Arts degree in education and has principal, math, and director of curriculum certifications.

Capital improvements

In board business during the open session of the monthly meeting, there were unanimous votes passed on two capital improvements to the district, including the replacement of an outdoor track located behind the middle and high school buildings. This multi-phased project has an expected cost of approximately $415,000 and will be split between two contractors, Upper Midwest Athletic Construction, and Pitlik and Wick.

The first phase of the track project will be to replace the existing base foundation, primarily blacktop and related material, and the second phase will be to build a sophisticated running surface. The total project is scheduled to be completed later this year.

District Administrator Foster shared comments in the meeting about the importance of the planned improvement, and of the extensive utilization of the track by athletic teams, physical education students, and through public access.

Following the vote to approve funds for a new track, the board unanimously approved $26,000 for a new steel sawmill building to be used primarily by the building trades and related programs. The new building will include 720 square feet of indoor area and an additional 480 square feet of a partially open covered area. Foster indicated that the actual costs may be significantly lower through the use of grants and fundraising efforts.

Before adjourning to the private session, the board reviewed administrative reports and the district administrator’s report. There was also a brief discussion, and a unanimous approval vote, to allow the district to accept an anonymous donation to Soar High School of 14 electric bicycles, with a retail value of $24,360. The donation was made by a former student and the district plans to integrate the bikes into select physical education programs.

The next regular meeting of the board of education will take place on Monday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. in the middle and high school large group instruction room.