By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
With school superintendent Frank Hauser departing at the end of the school year, the School Board discussed finding a temporary replacement at a special meeting Thursday.
The board has received two letters of interest – from former Sitka superintendent Steve Bradshaw and Helen Cheek, superintendent of the Iditarod School District in Interior Alaska.
The board decided to hold virtual candidate interviews in early March, but didn’t publicly discuss either of the two applicants.
Bradshaw was Sitka superintendent from 2002 to 2014, and then moved to Montana, where he was superintendent of the Columbia Falls School District until 2020.
“I have worked in Sitka as the superintendent for thirteen years and three years as the principal at Sitka High School,” Bradshaw wrote in his letter of interest to the School Board. “I believe I can help the board, district staff, and students have a very productive 2023-2024 school year.”
After accepting Hauser’s letter of resignation on Feb. 10 the School Board voted to advertise for one week for a temporary replacement while a search is conducted to fill the permanent position.
Cheek, who is based in McGrath as Iditarod SD superintendent, previously worked as the director of federal grants for the Yukon Flats district. In her letter to the board, Cheek highlighted her track record obtaining grant funds.
“My current school district covers an area the size of the state of Ohio, and I have eight school sites. Aligning eight schools in one direction with goals, curriculum, grant planning, and cohesiveness has its challenges… As Director of Grants, I brought in over $20 (million) in Grants in three years,” Cheek’s letter of interest states. “In my current position as Superintendent, I have brought in over $12 (million) in outside funding to raise reading and math scores, open and stock seven libraries, hire twelve new employees, and promote our CTE program.”
Teachers attending the meeting Thursday voiced support for Bradshaw as interim superintendent.
Blatchley Middle School language arts teacher Alexander Allison said he “had the privilege of having many different administrators. Some really good ones and some – let’s call them emerging. And I’d have to say that all the administrations I’ve worked for in this district… by far, the most competent, hands-down administrator I’ve had the pleasure of working with is Steve Bradshaw… He talked to every teacher in the district every month.”
Tim Pike, the Sitka High metals teacher, also spoke in favor of Bradshaw.
“Steve Bradshaw is someone that cares about this community,” said Pike. “He has spent a lot of time calling around and making sure that he understood the problems before he was interested in putting his name in the hat.”
Pike, who is a member of the Sitka Assembly, said he was also grateful the board chose to look for an interim superintendent first, rather than diving immediately into a search for a permanent replacement. Pike thought that process “gives us the best chance of finding a really quality candidate.”
Sitka High science teacher Stacy Golden told the board she supports Bradshaw.
“He hired me to work in the district. And the only thing I think that would bring him back from being with his grandkids and stuff right now, is the fact that he loves this community,” Golden testified. “And so he comes out of a place of great respect and care for our community.”
If chosen, Bradshaw would be in a sound position to work on contract negotiations with the Sitka Education Association, she said.
As interim superintendent, Bradshaw would be capable of making difficult decisions, said Mike Vieira, president of SEA.
“When I first was hired as the activities director, we didn’t always agree on things. But he was always a pleasure to work with,” Vieira said. “And I think that what he brings is a strong sense of appreciation for staff and people and students, but also a really strong ability to make hard decisions and stick to those hard decisions.”
Chris Voron, district learning support director, said Bradshaw was “a phenomenal administrator. I had a phenomenal relationship with him. And I really look forward to working with Mr. Bradshaw, if he were to be the interim superintendent.”
Following a quarter hour of public comment in favor of Bradshaw, the board met for more than an hour in executive session on the superintendent issue. It will hold another special meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 22, to discuss an interim superintendent contract and interview questions, and set March 2 for online interviews with candidates for the interim position.
