Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The New Rockford-Sheyenne School District will have a music program for the 2023-24 school year.
What would have been an obvious statement this time a year ago is now music to the ears of many students and parents, who feared the worst after both of the district’s music teachers resigned this spring.
However, at a special meeting via Zoom on Friday, July 7, the NR-S school board carried a motion to hire Jeff Ingerson to the position of high school music.
Ingerson is a licensed music teacher in the State of North Dakota and has more than two decades of experience in K-12 music education.
Since graduating from both high school and college in Minot, N.D., Ingerson has taught for 22 years at rural public schools in Drayton, Starkweather, Ashley, Strasburg and Dunseith.
“During this time I taught PreK-6 general music, 5-6 beginner band and 7-12 band and choir,” wrote Ingerson in his letter to the district. “I am from North Dakota … I have a desire at this time to stay within North Dakota and teach.”
Ingerson earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Minot State University and also has a Class B license with passenger and school bus endorsements. Additionally, he has previously supervised drama club and coached pee-wee football.
“At this time in my life I am looking for a place to be not only a place of work but a permanent home,” wrote Ingerson. “I am looking forward to the possibility of working for your school system in the music department. Thank you for your time in considering my application.”
The NR-S school board and administration had previously considered having just one teacher for K-12 music in the district, but the but the agenda of the July 7 meeting states that Ingerson was only hired for the high school music position.
NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters did not respond to questions from the Transcript about whether or not Ingerson may end up teaching all of K-12 music.
As of press time, the district’s website still listed “full-time music” on its job openings page.