News : Meet new CPU Superintendent Matt Berninghaus

Matt Berninghaus has been named the new Superintendent of the Center Point-Urbana School District.

Berninghaus comes to CPU from the recently-formed North Union district, centered in the smal town of Swea City, in Kossuth County, which borders Minnesota.

"I am honored to be chosen as the next Superintendent of the Center Point-Urbana School District," says Berninghaus. "In meeting with the Board of Education, administrative team, district staff and community representatives, there is a very clear sense of pride in the past, present, and future of the Center Point-Urbana School District, and I look forward to continuing this tradition of pride and excellence."

After serving for five years as an administrator and two years as the Armstrong-Ringsted Superintendent, Berninghaus helped with the reorganization of the A-R and Sentral of Fenton districts into what is called North Union in July 2014. The new district's school board officially made him its superintendent that year. "The Armstrong-Ringsted and Sentral Board of Education members had the foresight to make progressive yet difficult decisions in the best interests of the area students," Berninghaus says, recalling the discussions which led to the new district. "School district reorganizations can quickly become emotional experiences as change within the community structure can be difficult to overcome. I commend the Armstrong-Ringsted and Sentral Board members on their visionary leadership through the reorganization process."

Berninghaus was one of four finalists chosen for interviews during a Jan. 20 special meeting of the CPU School Board. The board unanimously agreed to hire Berninghaus during its Feb. 3 meeting, approving a two-year contract with a beginning salary of $144,000 and a maximum of $5,000 in moving expenses.

"My family and I are very excited to transition to the Center Point-Urbana School District," said Berninghaus.

CPU teacher/assistant coach resigns At that Jan. 20 meeting, the CPU board also accepted the immediate resignation of CPU High School PE teacher and assistant football coach Adam Squires.