Superintendent Finalists
April 12, 2017
Aitkin Public School announces finalists for superintendent position
The School Board for the Aitkin Public School is pleased to announce that four finalists will be considered for the position of Superintendent of Schools. These individuals, with solid experience as educational leaders in the state, provide strong choices to the district. The finalists were selected from a pool of more than 20 persons based on criteria developed by the Board and other stakeholders. The finalists will be interviewed in the district on April 19.
Paula Foley is school superintendent for the Warroad Public Schools where she has served since 2015. She worked for the Minnesota Department of Education as a Teacher Evaluation and Development Specialist and, prior to that, served for the better part of two decades as a principal with the St. Cloud Area Schools. Paula is a doctoral student through Concordia University, Portland and earned her Masters and administrative licensure through St. Cloud State University. Her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education was earned from that same place.
Brad Kelvington is the intermediate school principal for the Foley Public School where he has worked since 2006. Prior to his stint at Foley, Brad was an elementary and a middle school principal for Renville County West. Brad taught social studies in two South Dakota schools before he became an administrator in Minnesota. His superintendent license was earned through St. Cloud State. He holds a Sixth Year certificate from Minnesota State University, Mankato, a Masters degree from the University of South Dakota, and a Bachelors Degree from Southwest State University, Marshall.
Jim Muckenhirn is the superintendent of schools for the South Koochiching Rainy River School District where he has been since 2015. He has served as a principal in the Division of Adult Services for the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as well as in a similar position in Lino Lakes. Jim was an Activities Director for Lake City Schools and a principal in North Dakota following a teaching stint as a special educator for Princeton. Jim earned his superintendent license from St. Mary’s University where he also was awarded his principal licensure. He holds a Masters in Activities Administration from St. Thomas and earned his teaching degree at Valley City State University.
Jesse Peterson is currently the elementary principal for the Aitkin Public School where he has served since 2011. He has prior teaching experience with the Becker Public Schools where he served as a fifth grade instructor. He also taught briefly in North St. Paul. Jesse earned his superintendent license from St. Mary’s University where he also secured his K-12 Principal license. His Masters in Education Administration was earned from that same institution. Jesse’s Bachelors degree in elementary education was awarded through Bethel University in St. Paul.
These candidates bring a variety of skills and experiences to the interview table. Each has demonstrated success as an educational leader and is recognized for accomplishment in the field. The Board will be assisted in the final steps of the screening process by a staff team drawn from members from across the school program as well as by an administrative team and a team comprised of individuals from the Aitkin community. Candidates will start their final screening experience with a brief site tour and then interview with the staff, administrative, community, and Board teams prior to the Board making its choice. The new leader is expected to be named by the end of April and is slated to begin in the district in July.
Aitkin Public School announces finalists for superintendent position
The School Board for the Aitkin Public School is pleased to announce that four finalists will be considered for the position of Superintendent of Schools. These individuals, with solid experience as educational leaders in the state, provide strong choices to the district. The finalists were selected from a pool of more than 20 persons based on criteria developed by the Board and other stakeholders. The finalists will be interviewed in the district on April 19.
Paula Foley is school superintendent for the Warroad Public Schools where she has served since 2015. She worked for the Minnesota Department of Education as a Teacher Evaluation and Development Specialist and, prior to that, served for the better part of two decades as a principal with the St. Cloud Area Schools. Paula is a doctoral student through Concordia University, Portland and earned her Masters and administrative licensure through St. Cloud State University. Her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education was earned from that same place.
Brad Kelvington is the intermediate school principal for the Foley Public School where he has worked since 2006. Prior to his stint at Foley, Brad was an elementary and a middle school principal for Renville County West. Brad taught social studies in two South Dakota schools before he became an administrator in Minnesota. His superintendent license was earned through St. Cloud State. He holds a Sixth Year certificate from Minnesota State University, Mankato, a Masters degree from the University of South Dakota, and a Bachelors Degree from Southwest State University, Marshall.
Jim Muckenhirn is the superintendent of schools for the South Koochiching Rainy River School District where he has been since 2015. He has served as a principal in the Division of Adult Services for the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as well as in a similar position in Lino Lakes. Jim was an Activities Director for Lake City Schools and a principal in North Dakota following a teaching stint as a special educator for Princeton. Jim earned his superintendent license from St. Mary’s University where he also was awarded his principal licensure. He holds a Masters in Activities Administration from St. Thomas and earned his teaching degree at Valley City State University.
Jesse Peterson is currently the elementary principal for the Aitkin Public School where he has served since 2011. He has prior teaching experience with the Becker Public Schools where he served as a fifth grade instructor. He also taught briefly in North St. Paul. Jesse earned his superintendent license from St. Mary’s University where he also secured his K-12 Principal license. His Masters in Education Administration was earned from that same institution. Jesse’s Bachelors degree in elementary education was awarded through Bethel University in St. Paul.
These candidates bring a variety of skills and experiences to the interview table. Each has demonstrated success as an educational leader and is recognized for accomplishment in the field. The Board will be assisted in the final steps of the screening process by a staff team drawn from members from across the school program as well as by an administrative team and a team comprised of individuals from the Aitkin community. Candidates will start their final screening experience with a brief site tour and then interview with the staff, administrative, community, and Board teams prior to the Board making its choice. The new leader is expected to be named by the end of April and is slated to begin in the district in July.