GFW board approves four superintendent finalists
GIBBON — After a discussion with consultants Jeff Bertrang and Harold Remme, the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board unanimously approved four superintendent candidate finalists Tuesday.
The four finalists are New Ulm Public Schools Assistant Elementary Principal Paul Henn, Kimball Elementary Principal Joel Timmerman, MACCRAY (Maynard, Clara City, Raymond) K-12 Principal Judd Wheatley and Alden-Conger-Glenville-Emmons Superintendent Allen Berg. Action came on a motion by Ken Briese, seconded by Emily Stehr.
Bertrang, a South Central Service Cooperative consultant and former superintendent at GFW and New Ulm Public Schools, said candidate interviews with board members and administrators begin at 2 p.m., Jan. 27 at a location to be determined. The board will discuss the four candidates, decide who to invite for second interviews starting at 4 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Gibbon early childhood room, before meeting to decide who to offer the superintendent position.
A new superintendent contract is scheduled to be considered at the 6 p.m., Feb. 18 board meeting in the Gibbon early childhood classroom.
Bertrang said as part of the search process, he and Remme sought staff, student, parent and community input to create a profile of attributes a new superintendent should have to be successful. An on-line survey sent to school staff, parents, community members and board members was completed by 84 people, most of which were parents. Staff provided feedback to consultants in Gibbon and Winthrop.
“We reviewed survey responses to find common themes and thoughts to help the school board and to recruit, screen and interview candidates,” said Bertrang.
He said district challenges, according to in-person and online input included raising standardized test scores, retaining quality staff, more special education programming, more English Language Learner (ELL) oversight and support, stronger new teacher mentorship, increasing classroom rigor (challenges),
Desired characteristics include a capable financial planner, good listener, strong communicator, an innovator and visionary, approachable, kind and a detailed and logical planner.
“What if we don’t like any of the four candidates?” said Winthrop board chairman Russell Miller.
“Then we would repost the position. I’m pretty confident you’ll like one of the four finalists,” said Bertrang.
Interim GFW Superintendent Dr. Kelly Smith said he planned on meeting with Gibbon and Winthrop city administrators about the future status of the existing school buildings.
“I’ll share the survey results on what could be done with the schools after I meet with city administrators,” said Smith.
“We need to find someone willing to stick money into the schools,” said Gibbon board member Mark Turtle.