Embattled Lakeville North Activities Director—a Northfield Resident—to Step Down

Northfield resident Robert Ertl, who is Lakeville North High School's activities director, has been a man under intense scrutiny since his July DWI arrest.

Lakeville parents called for his ouster in December when he pleaded guilty to the DWI charge, despite Ertl having undergone rehab and working with district officials to keep his job.

As first reported on Lakeville Patch, Ertl, 47, pleaded guilty Dec. 20 to gross-misdemeanor DWI. It was his second alcohol-related arrest since 2008.

But on Feb. 26, Lakeville's School Board approved Ertl's resignation from his job as as activities director, with the plan to have him resume his teaching career as a social studies teacher.

Administrative Services Executive Director Tony Massaros said Ertl's resignation doesn't have anything to do with recent discussions with the School Board searching for $3.5 million in budget cuts.

However, his resignation fits into a plan that was announced earlier in February that would cut one of the two high school activities directors, saving the district $130,000 annually.

Ertl was scheduled to make $97,850 in 2012.

The scandal broke in December when Ertl, a 20-year District 194 employee, pleaded guilty to a June DWI. He received a stayed jail sentence but was fined $615 and given two years of probation, ordered to serve 10 days of electric monitoring and perform 240 hours of community service.

At the time, Lakeville Area Public School released a statement saying Ertl informed Superintendent Dr. Lisa Snyder and Lakeville North Principal Marne Berkvam of the incident in June, shortly after it occurred.

"The Lakeville Schools’ administration fully supports Mr. Ertl and is confident that he will continue to provide positive leadership to our staff, students, and athletes," the statement said.

In the statement released by the district, Ertl said he was taking actions to get his life in order.

"I entered treatment seven months ago and have been sober since. I informed my supervisors about the issues when I began treatment and I am sorry and apologize to the district and the community for the negative impact this may have on our district," Ertl said.