Lakeville Board Of Ed Approves Contract For New Superintendent Van Zyl

LAKEVILLE, MN —The Lakeville Area Schools Board of Education on Thursday approved a new three-year contract for Doug Van Zyl, who will take over as the district's new superintendent beginning on July 1. Van Zyl will succeed the retiring Michael Baumann.

The board of education chose Van Zyl unanimously after finalist candidate interviews were completed on March 15.

"On behalf of the board of education, we are excited to welcome Dr. Van Zyl to Lakeville Area Schools," said Board Chair Judy Keliher. "(Van Zyl) brings with him great experience and passion for students and we look forward to partnering alongside him to support the success of each and every student in our district."

Van Zyl has worked in public education for more than 30 years and he currently serves as the superintendent for the St. Joseph District in Missouri, a position he has held since 2018.

A Minnesota native, Van Zyl previously was the superintendent of Fort Dodge Community Schools in Iowa and the superintendent and assistant superintendent of Harrisonville Schools in Missouri.

Van Zyl also has been a school principal and third-grade teacher in Texas.

"First, let me thank the board of education and those involved in the interview process for allowing me this wonderful opportunity," Van Zyl said recently. "Lakeville Area Schools is a top-tier district and community. I am excited and humbled to have the privilege to live and work in a community that wants and expects first-class opportunities for its students and staff."

Van Zyl continued: "As we begin our journey together, I want students, staff and families to know that as the person who will be helping lead our team, the bar of expectations will remain high. We will be forward-looking and actively seeking to engage all our stakeholders in helping us meet the needs of all our students. We won't settle for where we are but we will strive to continually improve."