W. Fargo interviews wrap up
By Dave Olson, The Forum
Published Monday, April 24, 2006

The West Fargo School Board met with two superintendent candidates Sunday afternoon and closed an initial round of interviews with all six semifinalists for the job.

The board may decide today whether it will offer the job to someone or shave down the candidate list for possible second interviews.

Superintendent Chuck Cheney, who has led the district since 1999, will retire June 30.

The first candidate to meet with the board Sunday was Matthew Wendt, assistant superintendent for learning in Pittsburg, Kan.

He was followed by Rick Buresh, assistant superintendent of schools in Bismarck.

Each interview lasted about two hours.

Both candidates said they researched the West Fargo School District and liked what they saw.

Wendt described his management style as nonconfrontational, and he said he emphasizes leading by example.

";It starts with people wanting to follow you. So much of management then falls into place,"; he said.

Wendt said he has a different take on the adage of hiring good people and getting out of their way.

";They (good employees) want you there for support. I'm almost like a good teacher across the hall,"; said Wendt, whose district has about 2,800 students and a budget of $20 million.

Wendt, who said his parents are both educators, has worked as a principal at Fowler (Kan.) High School and as a teacher at several schools in Kansas.

He holds a doctorate from the University of Kansas, a master's degree from Kansas State University and a bachelor's degree from Pittsburg State University.

Buresh said his strengths include listening to people and his ";ability to win people over, in terms of building consensus.";

Before becoming an assistant superintendent eight years ago, Buresh was principal at several schools in Bismarck. Prior to that, he worked for more than 10 years as a teacher.

";I've had a long history with teacher negotiations, on both sides of the table,"; said Buresh, whose district has about 10,600 students and a budget of $85 million.

Buresh said he is a big believer in taking frequent snapshots of student progress.

";What gets measured gets done,"; he said.

When doing strategic planning, Buresh said experience has taught him the best approach is a balance between top-down direction and grassroots input.

Buresh has a doctorate and a master's degree from the University of North Dakota and bachelor's degrees from UND and North Dakota State University.

Last week, the board interviewed Dana Diesel Wallace, senior director of middle school education for Wake County Public Schools in Raleigh, N.C.; Todd Hess, director of contract administration for the Anchorage (Alaska) School district; Louise Dardis, West Fargo's assistant superintendent; and Scott Staska, superintendent for the Rocori School District in Cold Spring, Minn.