By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
In a special meeting of the NRHEG school board on Thursday, July 2, board chair Rick Schultz named Dr. Dale Carlson as the committee’s recommendation for interim superintendent to replace Dr. Dennis Goodwin, who resigned as of June 30.
The committee was appointed at the June 15 board meeting and immediately advertised for a replacement.
“We received seven applications in response to our advertisement. We reviewed all the applications and interviewed who we felt were the top two candidates.”
Carlson comes with 30 years of education experience (the last 20 in administration), most recently seven years as superintendent of schools at Holmen, WI, where he also served on the board of the Holmen Area Foundation.
Schultz reported the committee was “very comfortable” with their choice, and all felt he was “an excellent fit” with the needs of the NRHEG district.
Board member Travis Routh added that he had investigated Carlson’s references thoroughly and found his background spotless.
“He does intend to work toward earning the continuing contract,” Schultz added.
The board, excepting the absent Lori Routh, unanimously approved the offer of a contract to Carlson.
“It’s great when you can feel this confident about an employee coming into the district,” Schultz commented. He described Carlson as “calm, and easy to talk to.”
The board then reviewed and approved the negotiated contract, which was fairly standard. Carlson will be working full-time for a 12-month year, with the standard 25 vacation days, nine paid holidays (July 4 omitted), and a starting 25 day sick leave allowance. His salary will be $108,500 for the period July 13, 2015 through June 30, 2016.
Carlson is unable to start until July 13 due to his remaining duties at Holmen. It was suggested that five extra vacation days could be added in front of his term so that the district would have coverage for that period. But Carlson demurred, Schultz said, stating “I don’t feel comfortable starting (a new position) with five days of vacation.”
The board approved the term, voicing comfort with dealing without coverage for the brief time necessary.
“Neighborhood districts have stepped up to offer help, if we need it,” remarked Mike Moen.
Carlson will appear before the board as NRHEG superintendent for the first time at the regular monthly meeting July 20, at the Ellendale Media Center.
Moen also suggested that the board schedule a work session sometime later in the year.