WEST FARGO — The number of West Fargo Public Schools teachers and staff has grown exponentially in the past three decades, and Human Resources Director Robin Hill has been the one woman in charge of welcoming the majority of more than 2,500 of them.
But after 24 years at West Fargo and a total of 31 years in the education system, Hill is retiring, leaving the West Fargo School District March 12, after helping the newly hired Brittnee Nikle ease into the leaders chair.
"I've been in education a really long time, 31 years. I was little over seven years with the special education unit and doing some other work before I joined human resources," Hill said. "I have always been blessed with good leadership. It's been wonderful. This job has been the one that really shaped me. I'm grateful for that."
Hill said she made the decision to retire this year to giver herself and her husband more time to travel and do things together after he retired a few years ago.
"Also, I have many hobbies and interests I would like to have some time to enjoy," Hill said. "Golf, gardening, sewing, reading … all things I have not had time to do."
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Under Hill's tenure, the West Fargo School District has grown to be the second largest in the state and has opened nearly at least one new school each year for the past decade. During that time, Hill estimated how many additional teachers the school district would need and presented those numbers early on in construction processes for the board to allow.
"Your knowledge of the district is what we will miss the most," board member Dan Schaeffer said. "Personally, I'll miss you helping keep me straight and narrow on the board."
Hill has also helped usher the school board through numerous teacher contract negotiations that have gone relatively smoothly over the years.
"[Robin's ] calm demeanor in staff settings, especially when we're doing negotiations has done so much for us. I think people just find her calming," Board President Patti Stedman said. "You've become a friend and a colleague and I've learned so much from you."
Hill said it is the people of West Fargo she'll miss the most.
"I will miss the wonderful people I have worked with all these years," she said. " In my position I worked closely with the LEC staff as well as all of the school staff. I appreciate all of the great working relationships and friendships forged over the years, and I am proud say that I have been a part of West Fargo Schools."
Although she's leaving the district, Hill won't be leaving the area. She plans to stay in the rural Harwood home she shares with her husband and spend time visiting the lake and family.
About Brittnee Nikle, Hill's replacement
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Nikle began her career in human resources at North Dakota State University in 2000. In 2006, she was promoted to benefits coordinator, a position she held until 2011 when she accepted the role as North Dakota State University’s associate director of benefits and employee development. From 2015–18, she served as the director of human resources at Fargo Public Schools before joining West Fargo Public Schools as the district’s recruitment and safety specialist.
Nikle holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with an emphasis in human resources, from North Dakota State University.
