Newsmakers: Retiring Perpich Center Leader Reflects on Pandemic Challenges
After five years of service at Perpich Center for Arts Education, Executive Director Charles Rick says the program continues to stress the arts, both to students in the high school and to students all over the state. Rick plans to retire in November.
Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley is a state agency that seeks to advance K-12 education through the state. It was created in 1985, at the urging of then Gov. Rudy Perpich. It was renamed in Perpich’s honor after his death in 1995.
The program not only operates the high school for 11-12 grades, it also operates an extensive arts education library and facilities a professional development and resource program for students across the state.
When the pandemic hit, the program had to adjust in several ways. The program had fortuitously just purchased student computers before the pandemic hit.
“Our teachers and students learned about delivering education virtually, even with the difficulties of some students not being able to have access. It was an issue,” said Perpich. “As time went on, they returned to school part-time and full-time.”
Rick says the virtual component enhanced the professional development and resource program and the virtual component continues to help the program reach more students.
The high school has at time struggled with enrollment, and Rick was part of the team to lower dorm fees as a way to encourage more students to attend. Enrollment when he took over was around 119, but now it is around 150. About two-thirds of the student body lives on campus.
Rick plans to retire on Nov. 22.
See also: Perpich Student To Have Painting Displayed at U.S. Capitol
