Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 12 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
School board selects 6 finalists for super
5 are from Minn. and 1 from Iowa
Published Monday, February 2, 2009
Six finalists have been selected for the job of superintendent of Albert Lea Area Schools, the school board announced this morning.
The application deadline was Jan. 16. The finalists are:
• Cathy Bettino, superintendent, Pine River-Backus School District.
• John Chalstrom, superintendent, Cherokee (Iowa) Community School District.
• Mary Smidt, superintendent, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley School District.
• Michael Funk, superintendent, Bird Island, Olivia, Lake Lillian School District, often dubbed BOLD.
• Joe Brown, superintendent, Grand Meadow Independent School District.
• Jamie Skjeveland, superintendent, Crosby-Ironton School District.
The school board reviewed the files of applicants Wednesday and received a list of recommended candidates from BKB Associates, a Mankato firm assisting the board in the search. The finalists were chosen based on a profile of qualifications the board and other stakeholders outlined in interviews last fall and based on BKB’s recommendations.
Albert Lea’s superintendent since 1995, Dave Prescott, in October announced he will retire June 30.
School board members will conduct interviews with finalists Wednesday and Thursday at Brookside Education Center. The interviews are open to the public. The Tribune will print a schedule Tuesday.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on February 2, 2009 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be interesting to know what things they're looking for in a superintendent?
Posted by headscratcher (anonymous) on February 2, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Since when did job interviews become open to the public? I would hate to be the one being interviewed!
Posted by RoyBatty (anonymous) on February 2, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who is Number Six?
Be seeing you...
Posted by Outsider (anonymous) on February 2, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please not Joe Brown.....
Posted by 129capricorn (anonymous) on February 2, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought Joe was happy in Grand Meadow. Something about pastures always greener....
I'm with you Outsider.
Posted by tengstrom (Tim Engstrom) on February 2, 2009 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There you go. The sixth is on there now.
Posted by Tired (anonymous) on February 2, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jamie Skjeveland taught at New Richland. He is a good person and knows this area very well. (He also grew up in southern Minnesota)
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on February 2, 2009 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to see the financial statements for the districts that they run. Where did they spend money. Are they good stewards of the people's money. Schools much like local government must learn to live on a smaller budget. Where do these people stand on cuts. How big and how soon or do they believe in begging the state and scaring the people of the district into giving up more money in taxes. Let's take some time to think.
Posted by GOP123 (anonymous) on February 3, 2009 at 1:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In this era of "hope", I can only agree with the above statement by NoDFL. Our schools must give up the scare tactics and deal with reality, however it may present itself.
Posted by ALYLESTUD (anonymous) on February 3, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Joe Brown had major financial problems in GM. Continuously cut staff and asked the town for money through levys.
good luck
Posted by 1126 (Amanda Lester) on February 3, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reality, in schools, is that students are being asked to compete in a global economy without the resources to do so...especially if the United States plans on continuing to be considered a "world power".
Posted by Merlin (anonymous) on February 3, 2009 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish the Board well in this important decision. My only disappointment is in the caliber of the candidates. I believe the highly paid recruiting firm from Mankato (BKB Associates) has dropped the ball by bringing the Board a slate of small-time candidates from mediocre school districts. A role of the “head hunter” was to recruit top talent from across the state including some people from higher ranking schools. Further, BKB should have brought in some balance by looking at large district assistant and deputy superintendents who are more firmly grounded in knowledge of finance and who are more closely associated with the ways in which top schools develop fiscally responsible budgets that afford students top notch programs without placing an undue burden on taxpayers. While Albert Lea may not be Edina, Apple Valley, or Wayzata, it is still a top quality district that should attract top caliber talent to be its superintendent. This list is not of that quality. Too bad for District 241 and the board. Poor decision to hire BKB Associates.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)