Two New Principals Announced in Perham-Dent School District

Michael Kunza (pictured left) & James Kennedy (pictured right)

PERHAM (KDLM) – The Perham-Dent School District has announced the hiring of two new principals.

The school district has named James Kennedy as the new Prairie Wind Middle School (PWMS) Principal. Kennedy will replace Scott Bjerke, who announced his resignation from the position at the end of the 2021-22 school year.

“I’m still in disbelief a little bit, but I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to be the leader of that building,” said Kennedy. “I’m eager to get started. I know I have some ins and outs that I have to work through and there is a lot of orientation that will need to take place, but I’m very excited.”

The school district has also named Mike Kunza the new Heart of the Lakes Elementary School (HOTL) Principal replacing Elizabeth Johnson, who announced she was leaving for a job with the Austin School District.

Kunza, formerly the HOTL Dean of Students, transitions into a new leadership role within the school district. “It’s exciting to me to be the principal in the town that you grew up in. It’s a pretty surreal thing,” said Kunza. “I’m extremely excited to get started with the students, staff and families.”