LEXINGTON, Neb. — New Lexington Public Schools Superintendent John Whetzal is beginning his first school year with optimism about the district’s future, despite the challenges facing the community following the Tyson Foods plant closure. Whetzal, who officially started July 1, said his path to Lexington included stops in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, most recently serving as superintendent in Superior. After researching Lexington and its school district following former Superintendent Dr. John Hakonson’s retirement announcement, Whetzal said the position became increasingly appealing.

“I started researching the community, I started researching the school district, and the more I looked into it, the more appealing it became to me,” Whetzal said. “Since Laura, my wife, and I have been here, there has been nothing that has given us reason to think that this has not been a good decision and a good move.”

One of the biggest surprises, Whetzal said, has been the extent of Lexington’s diversity. He described it as “something that is really attractive” and said it presents unique opportunities for students and the community. He has also been impressed by the response to the Tyson closure, noting that residents remain confident about the future. “I’ve yet to talk to anyone that has not said, ‘We’re going to be just fine,’” Whetzal said. “There’s going to be some rough patches, but by the time we get to point B and hit the finish line, we’re going to be just fine.”

While some families have relocated, Whetzal said student enrollment losses have not been as severe as initially feared, and some families have even returned to Lexington. Looking ahead, he said he plans to immerse himself in the community and support students in their activities. “There are opportunities here. There is a culture here. There is potential here,” Whetzal said. “The community and the school will come out better for having gone through it. It’s just not fun going through the process.”