Six semifinalists selected for West Fargo school job
By Erin Hemme Froslie, The Forum
Published Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Members of the West Fargo School Board will interview six candidates for the district's top job.
Among the candidates are two North Dakota administrators, including the district's assistant superintendent.
Superintendent Chuck Cheney, who has led the district since 1999, will retire June 30.
The semifinalists for the position are:
- Rick Buresh, assistant superintendent at Bismarck Public Schools, which has 10,600 students.
- Louise Dardis, assistant superintendent at West Fargo Public Schools, which has 5,500 students.
- Dana Diesel Wallace, senior director of middle school education at Wake County Public Schools in Raleigh, N.C., which has 120,000 students. About 28,000 students are in middle school.
- Todd Hess, director of contract administration at Anchorage (Alaska) School District, which has 49,600 students.
- Scott Staska, superintendent of the Rocori School District in Cold Spring, Minn., which has 2,300 students.
- Matthew Wendt, assistant superintendent for learning at Pittsburg (Kan.) Community Schools, which has 2,800 students.
The School Board's consulting firm, Ray and Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, culled the semifinalists from a list of 25 candidates who applied. Applicants represented 17 states and a broad range of experience.
Consultants screened applicants by their current positions, the size of their school district, academics and how long they've been in their current position.
For example, no principals were considered for the position, said consultant Joseph Scalzo. ";We're looking for a progression of responsibility,"; he said.
Board members, the district's business manager and human resources director scanned the semifinalists' applications for about an hour before agreeing to invite all the candidates to the district.
FINALISTS JUMP ";It's a good cross-section of applicants,"; said Robin Hill, director of human resources. ";If it can be done, I think it could be advantageous to interview them all.";
Two-hour interviews have been tentatively scheduled for April 20, 21 and 23.
After that, the board will hold a second round of interviews or offer the position to someone.
The district's next superintendent will receive a base salary of about $145,000.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Erin Hemme Froslie at (701) 241-5534 |
