Murray, NEB- Conestoga Jr/Sr High held interviews for a new principal on January 27th. The board of administrators conducted the interviews while two teachers took the interviewees on a tour of the school.

The official decision was made on Tuesday night at the board meeting. Afterwards, all teachers got the opportunity to meet the new principal.

Current principal Rob Geise quotes, “We looked for somebody that would keep us moving forward and someone that would be good at building relationships with the students and staff.”

Geise says he doesn’t foresee any big changes happening next year. He says that typically happens within the second year of having a new principal.

Ben Schekirke is officially Conestoga’s new principal. He is a dad to his three daughters and enjoys hiking, cycling, golfing, and spending time with his girlfriend and family. He attended University of Nebraska Omaha to get his B.A. and began his teaching career in a self contained special education classroom in Des Moines.

Schekirke taught history for eight years in Storm Lake, Iowa and later got his M.A. while being a soccer coach. For the last three years, he has been the Principal of Alta-Aurelia High School, in Iowa.

Geise is excited to welcome Schekirke to Conestoga next year. “I viewed him as a high character person and a person who would attend student activities and support teachers and students,” Geise remarks. “Additionally I saw him as someone who would help the teachers and students grow.”