Staff writer

Superintendent Greg McNary of Williston’s New Public School District 8 said in a recent interview his new Stony Creek principal has a soothing demeanor.

This attribute works well for the leader of a school that has been through some turmoil this year. The third- and fourth-grade building was ruined by fire in March, and the students had to be bussed to Round Prairie Elementary for the remainder of the year, which is quite a distance from Stony Creek.

The new principal, V. Keith Jacobson, agrees with McNary’s assessment.

“I’m pretty calm, pretty relaxed. I think I can get the kids to take a deep breath and relax a little,” Jacobson said. Jacobson, of New Salem, has a variety of experience in education leadership roles. He served as principal of New Salem’s high school and middle school for a total of six years. He was the superintendent in Mandaree for a year and the director of special education there for another year.

He was a special education teacher in Bemidji, Minn., Mahnomen, Minn. and Ada, Minn., for a total of seven years. He also coached basketball in Mahnomen.

A 1963 graduate of Fargo Shanley High School, Jacobson lettered in football, basketball and track. He earned bachelor’s degrees in history and social studies, and a master’s of education, all at North Dakota State University. He also received special education certification at Bemidji State University in Bemidji.

Jacobson applied for the Stony Creek principal position because he wanted to move to western North Dakota and to a bigger community. He also likes the hunting opportunities available in the area. The self-proclaimed “history buff” is also looking forward to joining historical societies in the area.

“I’m really excited about coming to Stony Creek and Williston. I’m really looking forward to my time here,” he said.

Education careers run in Jacobson’s family, as he has four brothers who have been teachers or administrators, and his grandmother was a teacher. He entered education mostly because he likes working with children.

“I enjoy their enthusiasm. Kids are upbeat, even when things are down,” he said.

When asked if there is a teacher or administrator who most influenced him, Jacobson immediately thought of Sid Cichy, longtime coach and history teacher at Shanley High School.

“I enjoyed the historical discussions in his class and playing for him,” he said.

He also looks up to brothers Tim, a superintendent in Mapleton and Doug, a superintendent in Rogers.

“Both are very effective in their positions,” he said.

Jacobson brings his dog, a German shorthair pointer, with him to Williston. The dog is a “superb pheasant hunter” who’s 5 years old, he said.

He has four grown children: Brian, Brenda, John and David.