Stahlheim takes the reins at Lake Holcombe School

By Ginna Young

It’s not much of a stretch from what he’s used to, as Lake Holcombe’s new kindergarten through 12th-grade principal Chris Stahlheim grew up in the Hixton area, as part of the Taylor School District.

“As far as size, it was very similar to Lake Holcombe now,” he said.

With a graduating class of 24, Stahlheim is well-versed in small school matters. After high school, he went to Winona State, for science education (chemistry and physics), then was hired at the now combined Blair-Taylor, where he spent 20 years as a middle school science teacher.

Stahlheim then ventured out of his familiar surroundings and went to Black River Falls as a high school physics teacher, before moving into an assistant principal role. He received an administrative license in 2004, but with a small business opportunity for him and his wife, and their children still very young, the time wasn’t right for the move.

“I had my admin degree, but I didn’t really do anything with it for awhile,” said Stahlheim.

Once his three children were older, that gave Stahlheim more time and commitment to devote to the job.

“It was just a logical progression to move into a head spot,” said Stahlheim.

When an opening came about in Lake Holcombe, with the retirement of its former principal, Stahlheim was happy to return to a small school. During his interview and tour, Stahlheim met some of the students while summer school was still in session, where the kids showed how welcoming they are.

“That was part of the deal, too,” said Stahlheim. “It’s been a great start.”

Now that he’s at the helm, Stahlheim says he wants to work on culture and climate at the school, without making huge changes. Included could be a facelift of the building with paint and organizing rooms somewhat.

“All those different things,” he said.

In the times he’s not at the school, Stahlheim and his wife like to camp, and enjoy traveling with family on both sides. The couple also has a park model where they people watch.

“We’re busy enough as it is, we don’t need to go fishing or other activities – just unwind,” said Stahlheim, adding that his phone is always on and that he’s ready to help where he can. “That comes with the job.”

Now that people are allowed back in the schools, Stahlheim says he has an open door policy and that he wants to meet people in the community, either at the open house at the end of August, or by appointment through the district office. Stahlheim said people can come in and talk when they need to, and together, they can problem-solve or address concerns.

So far, Stahlheim said he’s seen the pride and love the community has in the school, and that during his application for the job, he was interested in the values and atmosphere that Lake Holcombe School exudes.

“That just got reinforced during the interview process and the tours…it felt right”