Brainerd Dispatch: News | Brainerd, Minnesota | Brainerd Lakes Area News on brainerddispatch.com

Home > NEWS >

Saturday, July 12, 2008

E-mail

Forums

Superintendent's secretary ready for last board meeting

BRAINERD SCHOOL DISTRICT

By JODIE TWEED

Staff Writer

She's been a calm and steady behind-the-scenes presence in the Brainerd School District for the past 29 years.

But many people may have no clue who Carolyn Johnson is.

Johnson, who has served as administrative secretary for the previous three superintendents and nearly three decades of school board members, plans to retire on Tuesday. Monday night will mark her last school board meeting.

As someone who is responsible for board minutes and agendas, she has rarely missed a board meeting. She figures she may have missed one when her son, Dan, was younger and had gotten sick, but he's 33 now. Johnson has always planned her vacations around board meetings.

Carolyn Johnson (left) and Janet Horn shared a laugh as they worked in the Brainerd School District office Tuesday. Johnson, who has served as an administrative secretary to the past three superintendents, is retiring on Tuesday and Horn will become her replacement as Superintendent Steve Razidlo's administrative secretary. Horn previously had worked for Razidlo as a long-term substitute for the past 1-1/2 years. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
» Purchase reprints of this photo.

Janet Horn, who has served as a secretary for the past 1-1/2 years for Steve Razidlo, will take Johnson's place as Razidlo also takes over superintendent responsibilities in the district.

Bob Gross hired Johnson in August 1979 when he was assistant superintendent. At the time she worked for then Superintendent Elliot Whoolery and Gross, who was named superintendent two years later. Gross spent 18 years as superintendent before he retired and was replaced by Superintendent Jerry Walseth, who after nine years in the position retired last month.

Johnson didn't plan to retire the same time as her boss, but it just worked out that way.

"I've been fortunate to work with some very kind men," Johnson said. "They've been gentlemen to work with. And I've got good feelings about Steve. He's got a vested interest with kids in the district, he has kids who have graduated here. The potential is there for a lot of stability with him."

Johnson is a diehard Ranger, having graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1964, although she concedes she has become a big Warrior fan, too. Her father worked in the mines while her mother taught business and shorthand at Aitkin High School. Her mother never taught her shorthand. Johnson learned the lost art at C-I, something she continues to use today. While a handful of people may know how to use shorthand in the school district, Johnson is likely the last person in the district to use it with such frequency. Horn plans to use a laptop computer when she takes notes during board meetings, unlike Johnson who has stuck with shorthand.

"It comes in handy for Christmas and shopping lists," Johnson said of using shorthand.

Walseth said Thursday that Johnson has been the backbone of the district, taking care of countless tasks and details to make sure the operation ran smoothly.

"I've often said there are two women in my life who have played such a critical role," said Walseth. "Obviously, one is my wife, Terrie, and the one on the inside of the organization was Carolyn. She's just been a phenomenal human being. I wish her the very, very best. She deserves it. ... She is such an incredibly good listener but more importantly, she's been a wonderful human being."

Carolyn Johnson will retire Tuesday after serving as district secretary for three Brainerd superintendents during the past 29 years. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
» Purchase reprints of this photo.

When Walseth was hired by the Brainerd district, Johnson said she felt energized by the change of pace. Gross was organized and always had his finger on the pulse of the district during his tenure here. Walseth arrived from Colorado, new to the district and state, so Johnson was able to help him out, introducing him to the inner workings of the district and community.

"It was really fun to work with him and watch him get up to speed," Johnson said of Walseth.

Johnson took over many of the school election responsibilities during the past two school board elections.

"Whether it's the best of times or most trying of times, she represented not only herself but the district incredibly well and listened with compassion and worked with conviction," said Walseth. "She's always done that in the background and every time someone shines a little light on her, she shrinks away and makes sure people understand her contributions have been minimal but in fact, they have been critical."

It's been a difficult year for Johnson, as it has been for many people who work in the district after last November's failed referendum and subsequent budget cuts.

"It's been upsetting and disturbing for me, even though it didn't touch me personally," Johnson said of the budget cuts. "A lot of people here in this building (Washington Educational Services Building) have been here for many years and we all love this district. It's been hard to see what's happened. It's going to be hard this next year with all the changes, even in this building. It's going to be a struggle, although people are really capable and up for the job. I think things will work out just fine."

Johnson doesn't have any big immediate plans for her retirement, other than cleaning her house, doing some yardwork and working on her flower garden. She said that every day in retirement will feel like a Saturday and she's looking forward to it. She lives with her son, Dan, who has Asperger syndrome.

"It'll be difficult to get out of the loop," Johnson said of school business. "It's been a good place to work and I feel fortunate to have had this job."

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.

Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.