Austin High School is losing its principal of the past seven years to Lakeville.

Wednesday, April 12, 2000

Austin High School is losing its principal of the past seven years to Lakeville. Julia Espe, who has been principal here since 1993, accepted a position Monday to be principal at Lakeville High School.

Espe said leaving was a difficult decision to make, but one that came because of timing a need for new challenges.

"It’s a good time for me to go," the AHS principal said. "My youngest daughter is graduating and she’ll be going to the U, so I’ll be in the neighborhood. They have a growing population in Lakeville and may be looking at building another high school soon, something I’d like to be involved in."

Leaving Austin, however, won’t be easy for the three-time resident. Espe first came to Austin in 1974 as a new music teacher. In 1985, she returned as a part-time music, part-time gifted education teacher. Then in December 1992, she started as curriculum coordinator for the district and assumed the helm at the high school in July 1993.

"I love Austin," she said. The staff and the kids here are truly exceptional – I’ll really miss them. And I’ll miss the community itself, I’ve never seen a community spirit like this. People really care – just look at the results of the referendum last year."

Espe told the staff at the high school and schools Superintendent James Hess Tuesday morning of her decision. The Lakeville school board approved her hiring Tuesday night.

The AHS principal is supposed to start July 1 in Lakeville, and said her last day with the Austin district probably will be June 30, minus vacation time.

"When I talked with her, she was in the process of being considered for the position," Austin Board of Education member Bruce Loveland said. "My comment to her was we want all our administrators to be happy.

"I wish her luck. She always gave good input and we talked about ways to improve the Austin School District," he added.

The Lakeville Area Public School District covers 87 square miles of Dakota County, including parts of Burnsville, Elko, Eureka, Credit River and New Market townships. The Lakeville district facilities include nine elementary schools, three junior highs and one senior high. A new elementary school, the ninth, and a new junior high school, the third, opened this past school year.

Espe will be the senior high principal. The high school is comprised of grades 10 through 12.