HIBBING — The Hibbing School District will soon be without a superintendent and a business manager.
The School Board will have an emergency meeting 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, to interview and select an acting superintendent after posting the position internally.
Superintendent Rick Aldrich resigned at Wednesday’s Board meeting. Though his resignation isn’t effective until April 14, Aldrich is on medical leave until April.
"Make it very clear that Mr. Aldrich did not leave because of the financial situation we are in right now. Mr. Aldrich left because of health conditions," Board member Mark Egan said during the meeting. "And I want to make that very clear. There's no underhand dealing going on."
Business Manager Alex Kaczor resigned in December, effective Jan. 15. He took a position with the Grand Rapids School District. Grand Rapids Business Manager Kara Lundin resigned in November.
The vacancies come as the district begins planning $2 million in budget cuts, in part due to declining enrollment, a trend throughout the region.
Voters rejected two referendum questions in November.
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The March 4, 2026, vote would start the process of a closure, which would save the district an estimated $516,000. The Board will also give an update on contract negotiations with support staff. -
The school district must now advertise the planned closure for two weeks before hosting a public hearing on the decision, which would go into effect this spring. -
Authorities reported alcohol is believed to have been a factor. The building was determined to be unstable and unsafe in the immediate area of the crash.
