By Chad Koenen

Publisher

It has been a homecoming of sorts for New York Mills School Superintendent Adam Johnson. While he is originally from Menahga, Johnson is quite familiar with the greater NY Mills area due to his time growing up just down the road and the many athletic contests his Braves had against the Eagles.

The familiarity with the NY Mills area has made the transition from Hill City Public School to NY Mills all-the-more easier to handle. 

“NY Mills has always been a pretty special town,” said Johnson. “You could always tell NY Mills was a close knit community and that everyone was proud of the school.”

Johnson was hired earlier this year to succeed longtime superintendent Blaine Novak, who retired at the end of June. 

The new superintendent brings in 12 years of experience in eduction, including eight years as a high school math teacher, along with coaching a number of sports through the years. The last five years have been spent in an administrative role, including three years as principal and two years as superintendent/business manager. 

Johnson earned his education degree from Bemidji State University and his masters degree from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. While he enjoyed his time in Hill City, Johnson said his family was looking for an opportunity to move closer to his hometown, as well as the right opportunity in a school district like NY Mills. He said he is looking forward to helping the school district grow, while not losing its small town and small school feel. 

“I am looking forward to being a part of the NY Mills School and community,” he said. “In talking to people you really get the feel for how special NY Mills is.”

Johnson is married to his wife Jessica. They share a one-year-old son named Teddy.