Loup County Public Schools has posted a statement announcing that current Loup County and Sargent Public Schools superintendent Wayne “Rusty” Ruppert will retire on June 30th, 2020. According to the statement, Ruppert has served 49 years in teaching, coaching, and administration at four different schools. He began his career teaching math and science at Hastings Junior High in 1971 then traveled to West Point Junior/Senior High where he taught from 1978-1996. He then entered administration when he came to Loup County Public Schools in 1996 serving as principal for eight years then superintendent for 16 years. Ruppert has also served as superintendent for Sargent Public Schools since 2010.
Ruppert has not only helped educate young people for the past 49 years, he has also coached them. His love of sports and students found him coaching football, track, basketball, wrestling, and even swimming. In 2001, he coached Loup County to the Class D2 girls state basketball championships. According to the school’s statement, this was one of his favorite coaching memories. One of coach Ruppert’s most distinctive features has been his mustache. He told the girls they could shave his mustache off if they won the championship. They ended up doing both.
Because of the current COVID-19 situation, a retirement party will be held at a later date. Until then, cards and letters on congratulations and best wishes can be sent to Loup County or Sargent Public Schools.
