The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

June 11, 2012

Rep. Kory Kath named interim East assistant principal

MANKATO — State Rep. Kory Kath has loved teaching the past 12 years at Owatonna High School.

But recently Kath decided to pursue a different avenue in his career in education, being named as the interim assistant principal at Mankato East High School. The Mankato Area Public School board is expected to vote to confirm at its June 18 meeting.

“I’ve always been a big-picture guy in education,” said Kath of Owatonna. “I’ve always loved seeing how everything connects.”

Kath, who has been the state house representative for District 26A the past four years, said he’s always been interested in school administration. After he decided not to run for re-election this year, now was the perfect time to finally pursue it.

In 2008, Kath broke a 20-year losing streak for Democrats in his district, which stretches from Waseca to Owatonna. Democrats lost nine times until Kath, a rookie politician, stepped up to the plate against Tom Kuntz, securing 57 percent of the vote.

After two terms, Kath, a Gustavus Adolphus College alum, said he and his wife decided family time needed to be more of a priority. He was teaching half the year in Owatonna and then spending the second half at the Legislature, leaving him spread thin. So he decided not to run again.

Kath is looking forward to the challenges of a new job, especially after having the opportunity to walk the halls and interact with some of the East students during the interview process, he said.

Kath isn’t nervous about his new position, but he said “there’s that anxiousness of getting to work and getting to meet people.” His first challenge will be to develop a rapport and trust with the Mankato community, East parents, students, faculty and staff, he said.

Kath plans to keep his home and family in Owatonna for the time being and commute to school in Mankato. He starts his new position July 1.

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