Unified WBLAHS principal named

The White Bear Lake Area School District is pleased to announce that Russell Reetz has been chosen to lead in the role of principal for the unified White Bear Lake Area High School. 

Reetz comes to the district from Eden Prairie High School, where he currently serves as an associate principal. Throughout his career, he has also served in director of activities roles. He formerly served on the Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors and is active with the InsideOut Initiative, an organization through which he mentors athletic directors throughout the country to develop and implement purpose-based athletic programs. He began his career teaching physical education, health and DAPE, and he spent 12 years coaching football and track and field.

“Mr. Reetz is a proven leader who will serve the students and staff of White Bear Lake Area Schools well as we unify our high school campuses into one building housing grades 9-12, something that hasn’t been done in White Bear since the 1980s,” said Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. “He is a visionary principal who will lead us during this historic time, guided by his strong understanding of the value of relationships, meaningful collaboration, and the importance of school culture.”

Reetz will start his time with White Bear Lake Area Schools in July, 2023. He will facilitate work being done as the two campuses of the current White Bear Lake Area High School prepare to come together into one unified building in the fall of 2024, when construction at the current WBLAHS - North Campus building is finished. The unification of WBLAHS was made possible by the community’s support of the 2019 Bond Referendum, which funded a major building addition, renovations, and field and facilities work at the North Campus site.

“I am honored and excited by the opportunity to serve White Bear Lake Area High School and the community as the unified school principal,” said Reetz. “I’ve devoted my career to creating positive school environments focused on relationships, partnership, support, and growth. I am looking forward to working with the staff, students, and families of WBLAHS and continuing the tradition of excellence. Go Bears!”