Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Rick Elertson is not a new face at Nederland Middle Senior High School. He does, however, officially have a new role. Mr. Elertson is the principal of Nederland’s secondary school. 

Last December, he was given the role of intern principal when the previous principal suddenly resigned. He completed the school year in this role and interviewed for the principal position. He was then named principal of Nederland Middle Senior High School starting in the 2019-2020 school year. 

Mr. Elertson first came to Colorado with his wife on their honeymoon. Years later, they moved from Wisconsin to Colorado when he accepted a job at a rural school on the Western Slope. 

Throughout his 20 years in education, Elertson has taught fifth grade and US history at the middle and high school level. He has been an athletic director and vice principal. He came to Nederland a couple of years ago as athletic director and administrator. 

Stepping into the principal role was pretty seamless, says Elertson. He loves this unique mountain community with its diverse socioeconomics. 

When asked about the challenges at the school, we discussed the declining enrollment here as well as throughout the district. It is also a complex situation to have a middle and high school in the same building. Elertson wants to establish an identity that brings the middle and high school together. He says, “It is like a puzzle, figuring out how to move together and move forward.”

Considering his enthusiasm and sense of commitment, I believe Mr. Elertson likes puzzles. 

NMSHS’s new principal is dedicated to providing timely and factual information to students, parents and the community. He wants people to reach out to him, discuss issues and reach compromises. 

“We want to put the best people we can in front of our kids,” says Elertson. He is excited about the staff this year at the middle high school. They are working hard to meet the needs of the students. 

Elertson also says that we need to expand our opportunities with the community. Creating more positive connections with the elementary school and the community of Nederland will make us all stronger. 

Along with leading Nederland’s middle and high school Elertson has a young family with three daughters and he is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Small town educators take on more roles than most are aware of and Mr. Elertson is no exception. You can see him walking around the school, attending meeting after meeting, controlling the scoreboard at volleyball and basketball games, making sure kids get on the right bus at the end of the day and even riding his bicycle to school. 

Elertson says, “We are on the road to returning to a great mountain school that this community will be proud of.”

This, of course, takes support and positive input and participation from all stakeholders; the teachers, staff, students, parents and community members. 

His new role takes patience, organization, leadership skills, the ability to communicate effectively, passion and dedication. Mr. Elertson is ready to do his part to provide a great education and school experience for the young people of our community. 

(Originally published in the September 12, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)