S-M hires Todd Lyscio as principal
Franklin Junior High eighth-grade counselor Todd Lyscio has been hired as the next principal of Staples-Motley High School.
In a phone interview Tuesday, Lyscio said the job had been offered and the contract has been signed and returned to Ken Scarbrough, Staples-Motley superintendent.
Lyscio will be replacing the retiring Bruce Pederson, who has been the high school principal in Staples for 15 years. The school board accepted his letter of resignation in February. His resignation will be effective in June.
Scarbrough said the outstanding job Pederson had done as principal at Staples-Motley High School would leave tough shoes to fill, but he believes Lyscio is up to the task.
"Lyscio is the right person for the job, to carry on the leadership Bruce gave us" Scarbrough said. "Finding the right replacement was important, and I was impressed with how easily and professionally (Lyscio) could strike up a conversation with parents, staff and students."
Lyscio was one of three finalists for the position out of a field of over 40 candidates. Scarbrough said choosing between the final three was a difficult and lengthy process, but the job was meant for Lyscio.
"It was nothing against the other candidates, and we did have three outstanding candidates, but Lyscio was just right," he said.
Lyscio has been at Franklin Junior High for 16 years, the first seven as a health teacher, the last nine as the eighth-grade counselor. He said he will be leaving the school with mixed emotions. While he will miss the Franklin staff and students, the administrative position is something he has worked toward for 10 years.
"This has been a longtime goal for me," he said. "I am leaving a wonderful, wonderful environment, a good crew, but I'm excited about where I am going."
Lyscio is a graduate of Hamline University in Minneapolis.