The Corbett School District Board of Directors, with the assistance of the Oregon School Boards Association, is nearing the end of a search that began in December 2021 to hire a permanent superintendent for the district. The District received 18 applications from candidates throughout the country.
The board of seven and a screening committee of twelve educators, administrators, and community members identified semi-finalists who were interviewed during special meetings on Tuesday, February 15 and Thursday February 17.
Dan Wold is currently leading the Corbett School District as Interim Superintendent. Board Chair Michelle Vo shared, “The Board is overwhelmingly grateful to Dan for his commitment to Corbett during the 2020-2022 school years, and his successful leadership of the district during the pandemic.” He will continue as Interim Superintendent for the remainder of this school year.
Following initial interviews, the Board deliberated and invited four finalists to spend time in the District on Sunday, March 13 and Monday, March 14.
The finalists are:
- Andre Hargunani, Principal of Pacific Crest Online Academy in the Richland, Washington School District. His prior experience included a principal position with the Leona Libby Middle School in Richland.
- Ben Gilpin, Principal in the Western School District located In Parma, Michigan. Administrator with the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning.
- Derek Fialkiewicz, Principal of the Lied STEM Academy in the Clark County School District, Las Vegas. Prior to that he was a middle school assistant principal and a high school dean of students.
- Timothy LaGrange, Superintendent of the Southwest County School Corporation located in Indiana. LaGrange has also served as an assistant principal and high school teacher/coach.
On Sunday, March 13 the finalists will be introduced at a community meeting to be held from 3-5 PM in the Corbett Schools main campus Multi-Purpose Building. Members of the community are encouraged to attend. On Monday, March 14 the finalists will spend the day touring the district, meeting with staff and participating in a second interview with the Board. Following deliberations, the Board will announce its selection for the permanent superintendent position, which will commence on July 1, 2022.
Contact: Michelle Vo-Board Chair (mvo@corbett.k12.or.us)