News - Local News

POSTED: Friday, Mar. 27, 2009

Ferndale School District chooses 2 superintendent finalists

FERNDALE - A California school administrator and former Whatcom County administrator have been selected as finalists for the open superintendent position in the Ferndale School District.

Superintendent Roger Lehnert is retiring at the end of the 2008-09 school year, after leading the district for 19 years.

The Ferndale School District has 12 schools and about 5,100 students and 700 employees. The position was advertised with a salary of $155,000 per year.

Both candidates will be at the following community and staff forums Friday, March 27, answering questions and sharing about themselves. All forums will be in the district office board room, 6041 Vista Drive.

Community members/parents: 10 a.m.

School administrators: 1 p.m.

District and schools staff: 4 p.m.

Community members/parents: 7 p.m.

The school board will choose the new superintendent at a special board meeting Thursday, April 2. The meeting time has not been set.

SANDY AUSTIN

Current job: Leadership consultant, instructor and coach with the Center of Educational Leadership at the University of Washington, Washington Leadership Academy and Northwest Washington Educational Service District Regional Leadership Academy.

Experience

1998-2008: Assistant superintendent, Nooksack Valley School District.

1996-98: Director of Educational Services, Nooksack Valley School District.

1995-96: Assistant principal, Nooksack Valley Middle School.

1994-95: Interim principal, Everson Elementary School.

1993-94: Special education teacher, Nooksack Valley Middle School.

1991-93: Special education teacher and principal intern, Blaine Middle School.

1982-91: Special education teacher at Bothell High School, Hanover High School in Hanover, N.H., and Shaw Middle School in Spokane.

1978-82: District special education consulting teacher, Dresden School District, Idaho.

1975-78: Special education teacher, Lincoln Junior High School, Santa Monica, Calif.

1972-75: Social studies teacher, Windward Alternative High School, Santa Monica.

Education

Doctorate, Educational Leadership, University of Washington, 2006.

Superintendent credential, Seattle Pacific University, 1998.

Administrator credential, Western Washington University, 1993.

Master's degree, special education, Chapman College, 1975.

Master's degree, secondary education and teaching, University of Southern California, 1974.

Bachelor's degree, U.S. history, University of California at Los Angeles, 1972.

LINDA QUINN

Current job: principal of Ghidotti Early College High School and Earle Jamieson Community Day School; administrator in charge of curriculum and categorical programs for the Nevada Joint Union High School District, Grass Valley, Calif.

Experience

2004-07: Executive director of administrative services and professional development, Puyallup School District.

2003-07: Education professor, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma.

2002-04: Director of development, Puyallup School District.

1998-2002: Planning principal/principal, Emerald Ridge High School, Puyallup.

1996-97: Principal in residence, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

1989-99: Principal, Puyallup High School.

1982-89: Principal, Aylen Junior High School, Puyallup.

1980-82: Assistant principal/teacher, Edgemont Junior High School, Puyallup.

1980-82: Coordinator, secondary gifted programs, Puyallup School District.

1974-80: English/humanities teacher, Puyallup High School.

Education

Started doctorate program in 2008 at University of Washington. Expected to finish with doctorate in education and superintendent's credentials.

Master's degree, education administration, Western Washington University, 1980.

Teaching credential, University of Washington, 1977.

Bachelor's degree, English and education, Washington State University, 1974.