'Big shoes to fill'
Photo by Chanse Watson Chris Lund will officially be made the interim Wallace High School principal on Monday.
Wallace High School teacher Chris Lund is currently standing in for principal Don Almquist after he suffered a stroke earlier this week.
Almquist, 67, woke up Sunday morning at his home in St. Regis, Mont. and noticed he was experiencing difficulties speaking and moving around.
Knowing that something was amiss, Almquist and his wife (Mullan High School English teacher Jacki Almquist) went to the hospital in Superior, Mont., where they were told he was having a stroke.
In need of treatment at a larger hospital, EMS crews from Shoshone County Fire District 1 transported him 108 miles via ambulance from Superior to Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene.
Almquist is currently at the Kootenai Health Rehabilitation Clinic in Post Falls where he is receiving 24/7 care to regain all of his motor functions.
Wallace School Superintendent and close friend of Almquist, Bob Ranells, said doctors are hopeful he will he regain some speech and movement capabilities in four to six months.
Barring any setbacks, he should be back at 100 percent in a year.
“I feel hopeful,” Ranells said. “We are praying that things all come together.”
In his absence, Lund — who teaches government, 10th grade U.S. history, 8th grade social studies, leads the student council, and coaches the varsity girls basketball team — will be manning the helm at WHS.
Lund has been interning with Almquist to learn the position for some time now in the hopes of one day becoming a principal himself, he just didn’t think he would have to do it this quickly.
“I didn’t expect it to be this quick,” Lund said. “In the situation we are in, with him getting sick and having to step into that role, is kind of a surprise.”
Expected to be confirmed as the official interim principal at the next Wallace school board meeting, Lund understands he has a lot of work ahead of him.
“Big shoes to fill,” Lund explained. “The No. 1 goal for me is it be consistent with how Mr. Almquist has dealt with things in the past ... not come in here and change a bunch of things, but just to keep the ball rolling and finish out the year.”
A full-time substitute teacher has been brought in to teach all of Lund’s classes while he gets settled into and assumes his new interim position.
Looking ahead, Almquist had already submitted his application for retirement and was planning on leaving WHS at the end of the school year.
Because of this, Ranells has already been accepting applicants for the position next year.
Regarding Almquist returning this year to the school, Lund remains positive.
“We are looking forward to seeing Mr. Almquist make a full recovery and see him back by the end of the year.”
The Wallace School board will meet on Monday at 6 p.m. at Silver Hills Elementary in Osburn.