By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
After months of searching, the Sitka School Board voted unanimously Saturday to offer the district superintendent position to Frank Hauser, who is principal of Service High School in Anchorage.
Hauser’s widely varied education experiences, from classroom teaching and cultural sensitivity to administration and budgeting, made him a logical choice for superintendent, board president Amy Morrison said.
“We wanted someone who had multiple years of classroom teaching experience, but also administrative experience. We were looking for somebody with a collaborative leadership style. Experience with school finance and budget development, which he has,” Morrison told the Sentinel.
Frank Hauser (Photo provided)
Hauser was one of three finalists for superintendent who were interviewed by videoconference on Friday. The others were Blatchley vice principal Laura Rogers and Jeffrey Richley of California. A fourth candidate, and Stephen Vigliotti Sr. of New York withdrew his application before the conference. The search was conducted by the Alaska Association of School Boards.
Hauser’s willingness to show cultural sensitivity made him stand out, Morrison said.
“(He has) experience and willingness to be culturally responsive specifically with Alaska Natives and other Indigenous cultures,” she said.
Morrison highlighted Hauser’s 2019 Alaska Principal of the Year award.
“That was a pretty great honor that he received, and it definitely speaks well of him,” she said. At the moment, Hauser remains principal of Service High. Provided contract negotiations go smoothly, Hauser will become superintendent in Sitka on July 1.
John Holst, who has been interim superintendent since the resignation of Mary Wegner last June, told the Sentinel that reopening schools and constructing budgets will be Hauser’s primary challenges. As things stand, Holst added, the district plans to return children to full-time, in-person education in the fall.
“That will be the big challenge, to figure out what it’s going to look like,” Holst said. “We’re building the budget based on school returning to much closer to normal than right now. And that’s the challenge, that’s six months off, in August. Just think about six months ago – things change so fast.”
Holst’s goal for the district in the fall was straightforward: “Kids in the building every day, all day.”
Speaking of Hauser’s qualities, Holst said the board made a good decision. “Having the diverse background he’s had, lots for teaching, district office experience, and then six years as principal.”
“He was Principal of the Year two years ago,” he continued. “You don’t get that award if you’re not pretty darn good at something. His temperament is conducive, he’s kind of calm.”
Sitka superintendents are usually promoted from within the district staff, and Hauser will be only the second since 1993 to come from outside Sitka, Holst said. The other was Holst himself.
The School District announced today that contract negotiations with Hauser are underway, and Morrison said she hopes for the contract to be finalized by Friday.
