Thursday, July 24, 2008

Feldkamp takes reins at USD 338 as superintendent

by Clarke Davis

Valley Falls Superintendent Loren Feldkamp has returned to peaceful climes after serving in the Grand Army of the Republic.

A 1st lieutenant in the 3rd Kansas Light Artillery, Battery B, Feldkamp joined Civil War re-enactors in the battles of Gettysburg on the 145th anniversary of that clash between North and South.

Feldkamp began his duties in USD 338 July 1, but was soon off to the battlefield with his cannon -- an 1859 6-pound field gun -- that is parked in his front yard. The community will get a look at it when it follows the Veterans of Foreign Wars float in the 4-H parade next month.

The superintendent is a history major and taught history for 20 years. It was during this time he brought a guest speaker to class who was a Civil War re-enactor and it wasn't long before he was involved in a battle at Pea Ridge, Ark.

"I took the bait," he said.

Now back at his desk in Valley Falls, the topics are budget, curriculum, and construction.

Dr. Harry Austin, an expert in school finance hired by the board in January, has been assisting in developing next year's budget. He has also helped train new board clerk Brenda Henson in new accounting procedures.

Feldkamp said he understands school finance but is not "the financial wizard" that Austin is

"He's been good for the district and the board should have confidence in the financial reports," he said.

If changes in the school system are to come as a result of having a new superintendent, they won't be noticeable at the outset.

"I need to observe what is being done and get to know the staff," he said.

A former athletic director and coach, he is anxious to see the Dragons in action.

He has met once with the curriculum committee on social studies. He said the school is a member of the Curriculum Leadership Institute, which has worked well if the student test results are an indication.

Feldkamp said he senses the positive attitude in the community with the passage of the bond election and has scheduled to meet with the Chamber of Commerce and civic clubs to get acquainted in the community.

He and his wife, Nancy, have built a new home on Willow Street and have completed their move from Udall where he was the superintendent since 2005.

Feldkamp, 51, has a farm background and graduated from B&B High School at Baileyville. He returned to his alma mater for the first 20 years of his teaching and coaching career.

He was a high school principal at Onaga before going to Udall. He attended Cloud County Community College on a baseball scholarship and got his bachelor's and master's degrees at Kansas State University. He received his superintendent's license through Fort Hays State University.

The couple has three children, Scott Feldkamp, employed by an electrical distribution company at Olathe; Janine Feldkamp, a special education teacher at Derby; and Matthew, who graduated from high school in May.