Eight finalists have been selected to replace Morris Area Elementary Principal Brad Korn. The candidates will be interviewed on Thursday, April 19th, and Saturday, April 21st. The interview committee is made up of fifteen members of administration, staff, and the school board.
Superintendent Scott Monson reports that the committee will present their recommendation to the School Board in an as-yet-unscheduled special meeting. Monson says that meeting could be as early as May 2. Most of the eight candidates have extensive teaching experience and many have long-term positions as principals. One candidate would be familiar with Morris: Ken Gagner taught at the Morris Elementary School from 1988-2010. He also served as the science fair adviser. For a complete list of candidates and short bios, as provided by Monson, see below:
Interviewing Thursday, April 19, 2012: ·
Colleen Abear: currently elementary principal of Cuyuna Range Elementary School (PreK- 6) which is part of the Crosby-Ironton School District; member of various committees; 25 years of teaching experience in several grade levels and various educational settings; ECFE Program Director; mayor of City of Deerwood (MN).
Randal Bergquist: currently the middle school (grades 6-8) principal in Melrose (since 2006); 6-8 and 9-12 principal in CGB from 2004-2006; assistant athletic director at MSUMoorhead from 2001-2003; social studies teacher in Moorhead, Lake Park, Barnesville, and Fargo from 1999-2004.
Todd Burlingame: currently superintendent in Paynesville (since 2004); PreK-5 principal in Paynesville from 199-2004; grade 4-6 principal in Virginia (MN) from 1997-1999; 5/6 teacher in Starbuck (1993-1997), grade 4 teacher in Volga (SD) from 1990-1994.
Lee Furuseth: currently elementary principal in Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (MN) schools for grades PreK-6 (since 1998); program director in Warroad in 1997-1998; grades 3 and 4 teacher in Warroad (1985-1997); elementary physical education teacher in Warroad from 1989-1992; Title I teacher in Indus/Northome (MN) from 1982-1985.
Interviewing Saturday, April 21, 2012:
Ken Gagner: currently PreK-8 principal in Battle Lake (two years); previously taught elementary from 1988-2010 in Morris; taught from 1986-1988 in McLaughlin (SD); coached variety of sporting events and was Science Fair advisor in Morris.
Nate Hanson: currently the 7-12 Alternative Learning Center director/assistant principal/Targeted Services Coordinator for the Worthington School District (since 2010); K-12 principal/interim superintendent/community education director in Round Lake- Brewster (MN) in 2009-2010; K-8 building principal in in Eveleth-Gilbert in 2008-2009; 5-8 physical education/DAPE teacher (2001-2008 and grade 6 physical education/keyboarding applications teacher in Brainerd from 1999-2001, and K-8 physical education/DAPE teacher in Mound (MN) from 1997-1999.
Jeff Nelson: currently the elementary principal/assistant to the administrator at Lake of the Woods School District (2007-2012); from 2005-2007 was assistant to the administrator and taught grades 7-8 math at LOTW; middle level teacher from 2001-2005 at LOTW; taught grade 2 and coached junior high basketball and elementary wrestling at LOTW from 1995-2001.
Dave Peterson: currently teaching elementary (grade 4) in Waubun-White Earth-Ogema; previously K-4 Dean of Students, grade 7-12 Activities Director, and classroom teacher in Waubun-White Earth-Ogema (2006-2011); technology teacher in Waubun-White Earth- Ogema; taught and coached a variety of subject areas in Jackson County Central (MN) from 2001-2006.
