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Watch the Interview with Rudy Legleiter

"We didn't have anything, but we were close-knit. The staff, everybody helped everybody. It was a beautiful experience,” said Rudy Legleiter, retired Widefield School District 3 (WSD3) educator.

When Legleiter first arrived in WSD3 in April of 1958, those words weren't just a sentiment, they were a reality. Construction crews were still pouring the footers for the first wing of the Widefield High School, forcing teachers and students to double up in elementary classrooms on split shifts.

That spirit of togetherness set the tone for Legleiter’s remarkable 30-year career in WSD3. He started as the district’s first business teacher. As you can imagine, business education looked quite different in the 1950s than it does today. Legleiter taught students typing and shorthand, and even competed in regional typing competitions in which his students often took first place. 

As the district grew, so did Legleiter’s roles. After several years in the classroom, he was appointed Director of Vocational Programs. During this era of rapid technological change, he helped introduce the district to its very first piece of modern computing technology.

"We got an IBM 1401 machine, our first venture into the new world," Legleiter says. "Of course, it was vacuum tube operated and took up most of the classroom. We had to have air conditioners in the classroom just to keep it functional."

Later, Superintendent Dr. Clamor asked Legleiter to step into a new role overseeing human resources, a position he held for 16 years. Legleiter traveled across the country recruiting talented educators, partnering with universities to refine interview techniques, and building a workforce that aligned with Widefield’s values.

Through it all, his leadership philosophy remained remarkably simple: treat everyone with dignity.

"I had a maintenance guy come in once and say, 'Mr. Legleiter, you're the only administrator we feel we can talk to,'" he shares. "Put your all into people, they're all important, no matter the position."

Legleiter and his wife, Marilyn, who also taught in the district for 25 years, raised their three children in Widefield. Two of their daughters went on to become dedicated music educators for over three decades, while their youngest pursued a lifelong career in nursing.

As the school year approaches and WSD3 welcomes back its staff, Legleiter has advice to teachers and support staff that he remembers hearing at Convocation years ago:

1. Never assume: “Don’t assume that the kids know. It was always a loving and helpful approach.”

2. Set the tone early: "The impression you give kids when they step on a bus coming to school is very important. Make sure it's welcoming."

3. Remember the core mission: “Maintain high standards while prioritizing respect and human connection above all else.”

Reflecting on how the district has expanded from around 750 employees during his tenure to roughly 1,300 today, Legleiter remains proud of the foundation built all those years ago.

"It was a very human-centered philosophy from day one," Legleiter reflects. "High respect for each other. It was a great, great career."

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