The St. Michael-Albertville School Board Monday, May 9, unanimously selected STMA Curriculum Director/Albertville Primary School Principal Ann-Marie Foucault to lead the district as superintendent.
While the vote was unanimous at 6-0, board member Carol Steffens had indicated that she preferred a candidate with superintendent experience, in this case candidate Ed Graff, who is Anchorage, Alaska, superintendent.
But there was somewhat of bombshell shared by board chair Doug Birk at the beginning of the meeting — it was learned this same day that candidate Graff lacked superintendent licensure in Alaska and would need lengthy procedural approval from the state of Minnesota in order to get his license.
Birk said that upon the Department of Education’s review of Graff’s credentials, “he didn’t possess a superintendent license in Alaska, it’s not required in Alaska.”
Birk said, “Typically that is a very serious issue to the Minnesota Licensure Board.”
He said Graff would need to meet “unique Minnesota requirements,” and that STMA would need to write a letter explaining why they would choose Graff in lieu of other licensed candidates. He said the state’s license board would need to review and decide on his license no sooner than June 13, and that Graff would “need to complete several programs on the state of Minnesota contingent on full approval of the licensure board.”
Supt. Jim Behle said he faced a “challenging process” when he got his Minnesota license after previously working in Iowa.
“It seems (the Department of Education) led us down a curvy road we thought was straight,” school board member Drew Scherber said.
Birk responded, “I think there was a lot of assumptions. We’re not saying (Graff) can’t be licensed in Minnesota.”
SITE VISITS
Birk then led the board through a review of site visits for each candidate — Foucault, Graff and Dean Jennissen of Dassel-Cokato.
Birk said all site visits concluded that each candidate would be an exemplary choice to lead STMA. Particularly of Foucault, Birk noted that he and board member Jennifer Peyerl visited more than 100 district stakeholders, from teachers, administration, former superintendents and former school board members, to a gas station attendant.
“She demonstrated all the competencies in our profile and leadership,” Birk said. “We have no reservations regarding Foucault’s candidacy.”
After concluding the site visit reviews, board member Jeff Lindquist expressed “shock” of the development surrounding Graff’s licensure. “Frankly I don’t know what to do.”
Birk responded that the licensure director apologized for information about Graff being discovered so late in the process. He said another option would be for the school board to table this meeting and name a superintendent at a later date. That option was not favored by the board, since a timeline is already in place.
“The best course is to consider the other candidates,” Birk said. “Graff’s candidacy is not practical and feasible.”
THE PICKS
The rest of the board agreed with its chairperson.
Each board member then verbally picked a favorite candidate. Lindquist said he strongly favors Foucault. “Her record speaks strongly for itself … nothing but very strong support.”
Board member Peyerl said, “I already know she’ll do a phenomenal job.”
Board member Gayle Weber said she has no reservations in selecting Foucault. “She has proven herself of ability, dedication and integrity in this district.”
Board member Carol Stefferns said she prefers someone with superintendent experience in light of STMA’s upcoming referendums and potential deficit spending, and was “very concerned” about lack of experience from Foucault and Jennissen.
Board member Birk said he “fully supports” Foucault. “She enjoys broad universal support which isn’t easy for an internal candidate.” He said Foucault’s advanced knowledge of STMA “well positions her to guide us.”
Board member Scherber said he’d support Foucault or Jennissen, but since four board members prefer Foucault, he, too, would vote for her as a show of unity.
In the end the board voted 6-0 to approve extending a contract to Foucault.
She will now succeed Supt. Behle, who is retiring this summer.