Lake Middle School Has New Principal

Molly Roeske has been named the new principal, District 833 announced this morning.

The announcement comes days after Rick Wippler opted to resign from the post, citing personal reasons. Wippler was named the interim principal after Todd Hochman at Park High School in Cottage Grove in July.

In an email to parents and students, Roeske, the current principal at Bailey Elementary, said she enjoyed her time at the elementary school.

“The decision for me to accept this position has not been an easy one—simply because of my sincere admiration for your students, your family and the Bailey staff members,” she wrote. “I have been extremely fortunate to be a member of this school community.”

Roeske was formerly an assistant principal at Lake Junior High (now Lake Middle), and was at Bailey Elementary for the past five years.

Keith Ryskoski, assistant superintendent, made the decision with input from the Lake Middle School Site Team, according to the release from South Washington County Schools.

“As an internal candidate, Molly brings a wealth of district leadership experience. She is a well-respected administrator for her school community, as well as with her administrative colleagues,” Ryskoski said in a statement. “The Lake community can look forward to a visionary leader with high energy and high expectations.”

In her note to parents, Roeske said she appreciated the support from the Bailey Elementary community.

“To say I have enjoyed my time here at Bailey is an understatement,” she wrote. “When I started as principal in October of 2006, never did I anticipate that my experience would not only be one of much individual growth for myself as a school leader but one of being part of a such a positive, productive and vibrant school community with whom I have grown to care very deeply for. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together in the past five years.”

Roeske’s teaching experience was as a special educator at Ellsworth High School in alternative education, New Richmond Middle School and Lake Junior High.

Her background also includes a career in social work as both a juvenile and adult probation officer and child protective service worker. She holds a bachelor of social work and master’s of science in education (special education with an emphasis in emotional/behavioral disorders), both from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Her K-12 administrative licensure was completed at Saint Mary’s University in Minneapolis.