Joshua Fuchs' Resignation, Wenschlag's Return: No. 1 Story of the Year

Richfield Patch covered a lot of different stories, topics and events throughout 2012, but there were a few that stood out as the most interesting, important or possibly infamous to our readers. The following is the top story of the year.

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Four principals in four years. This was the reality for the students, parents, faculty and staff at Richfield High School in recent history.

After Dr. Stephen West left for an opportunity in Eden Prairie at the end of the 2010-11 school year, first-time principal Joshua Fuchs stepped in and offered reassurance to those hurt by West's unexpected departure.

"I’m not going anywhere—I can promise that. I will be here as long as Richfield wants me here," Fuchs told Richfield Patch in August 2011. "The only reason that I would want to leave here is for retirement."

However, Fuchs spoke to soon. He resigned the morning of May 15 after less then a year in the position.

"My resignation is solely to ensure that my desired professional direction and employment are aligned," Fuchs said in a letter to the community. "When I made the promise to stay that was my intentions. Through the course of this school year there have been many challenges and I have learned a great deal from this experience."

An old friend returns

While the community was sad, and some hurt, by Fuchs' departure, all would rejoice when former Richfield administrator Jason Wenschlag was announced as the new RHS leader.

Wenschlag, formerly an assistant principal at RHS and principal at Sheridan Hills Elementary School, returned in the fall of 2012 after a one-year stint in a Wayzata Elementary School.

"I feel like [Richfield] is where I belong right now," Wenschlag told Patch in September. "It gets in your blood."

While Wenschlag didn't make any promises to stay, he did say: "I left once, and went to what some perceive as a very strong school district, but I'm back and I'm not going to jeopardize this opportunity to make a sustainable difference."

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See all the stories related to this topic:

• Joshua Fuchs Resigns As High School Principal
• Joshua Fuchs Releases Statement on Resignation
• Release: Superintendent Slotterback's Statement on Principal Fuchs' Resignation
• District Close to New High School Principal Decision
• Former Assistant Principal Returns to Lead Richfield High
• Principal Wenschlag: 'I Hope to Be Here For a Long Time'

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