10 interested in heading Valley schools

Dec. 15, 2006

By Michael Rovito

Frontiersman

PALMER - Mat-Su Borough School District officials refuse to release resume information for 10 applicants vying for the soon-to-be-vacant superintendent job in the school

district.

The instruction not to share complete information came during the board's Dec. 6 regular meeting.

Citing privacy reasons, Traci Crotteau, the district's public information officer, said personal information could be lifted from resumes, and the school district wants to avoid that.

While the complete resumes are under wraps, the district has released the names and current positions of the applicants, including locals David Nufer, Finger Lake Elementary principal; Ken Klunder, Correspondence Study School teacher; MaryKate Mayer, Swanson Elementary principal; and George Troxel, assistant superintendent of education and

instruction.

Becky Wright, president of the Parent Advisory Council, said that, from a recruiter's standpoint, she understands the school board's concern about releasing the resumes, but as a parent she would hope at least the final candidates' qualifications would be posted.

&#8220I'm more concerned with the final short list of candidates,” said Wright, who added her group has not discussed the issue and she was speaking as an individual.

The school board hopes to make a final decision in early March, said Linda Menard, the board's vice president. Menard said if the current candidates do not yield a viable superintendent, the board may seek outside help from a consultant who could conduct a nationwide search.

Of the 10 applicants, six are Alaska residents and four work for the school district.

Troxel said he applied for the job because he thinks he can get some &#8220tremendously good things going in the district.”

&#8220I'd look forward to being in that position,” Troxel said.

He added that 10 applicants is a good turnout, calling the position a big job.

The final decision lies with the school board. The position will be open after chief school administrator Bob Doyle officially retires at the end of June.

The 10 applicants are:

€ Anquine Jackson of Milwaukee, Wis. Chief academic officer, Office of Academic Excellence, Milwaukee Public Schools.

€ JT Stroder of Fairfield, Idaho. K-12 principal and assistant superintendent, Camas County School District.

€ David Nufer of Palmer. Finger Lake Elementary principal, Mat-Su Borough School District.

€ Ken Klunder of Palmer. Correspondence Study School teacher, Mat-Su Borough School District.

€ Don Clark of Cordova. Cordova Jr./Sr High School principal, Cordova School District.

€ MaryKate Mayer of Wasilla. Swanson Elementary principal, Mat-Su Borough School District.

€ George Troxel of Palmer. Assistant superintendent of education and instruction, Mat-Su Borough School District.

€ Michael Basham of Wise, Va. Division superintendent, Wise County Public Schools

€ Jim Nygaard of Thorne Bay. Southeast Island School District superintendent, Southeast Island School District.

€ Nancy Wagner of Johnson City, Tenn. Assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, Kingsport City Schools.

Contact Michael Rovito at 352-2252 or michael.rovito@

frontiersman.com.