The Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School District has gained a new superintendent just in time for the new school year.

Nels Onstad began his new position at ACGC July 1, building the foundation for a successful new career as superintendent. He replaces Sherri Broderius, who retired after 34 years with the district.

For the first time in seven years, ACGC has a full-time superintendent, as Broderius most recently served a dual role as superintendent and high school principal. Onstad joins elementary principal Kodi Goracke and 5-12 Principal Robin Wall.

Onstad’s roots in education began with teaching in a rural school. A former math teacher who grew up in Pope County, Onstad taught for six years in northern Minnesota before taking on the role of principal at the West Central Area District, including schools in Barrett, Elbow Lake and Kensington, for more than a decade. Needing a change, he became the director of the Educator Licensing Division at the Department of Education in 2015.

While working in the metro area, Onstad's desire to return to hands-on education in rural Minnesota intensified. For two years, he worked his way to becoming a superintendent, and was selected from a handful of candidates to fill the role at ACGC.

The transition into his new job has had its own challenges, but he remains positive.

“Facilitating the added duty of working with the school board and what direction to go. Things take time, and it’s been a challenge,” Onstad said.

With the new school year, the transition to becoming superintendent was made easy with the help and support of staff and administration.

“Everything is just so new,” he said.

One goal Onstad has during his time as superintendent is to be attentive to the needs of the core of a school district: the students.

“There are those who were former superintendents who say that they get farther and farther away from the kids as time goes on,” Onstad said. “For me, I would like to stay as close as possible.”

Since beginning his new job, Onstad has already worked with the School Board to address facility maintenance needs, including roofing and window projects, and to discuss teacher negotiations, testing, implementing technology, etc.

Onstad's main office will be at the 5-12 school in Grove City, but he will also spend time at the elementary building in Atwater, he said.

Connecting with the students is just one example of Onstad’s goals as superintendent. His interests delve deeper into a sense of teamwork.

“I want to learn the strengths of the district,” he said. “I want to see opportunities for growth.”