Finalist named for Alexandria superintendent

Nearly 30 community, school board, and staff members from the Alexandria Public Schools met on September 20 to interview six finalists for the superintendent position.

Four teams interviewed these candidates and then shared perceptions about the unique skill sets and personal attributes these individuals could offer the district.

Following a process that spanned a total of 16 hours, the board agreed to invite Rick Lahn back for a second screening, which will be conducted early in the first week of October.

Lahn (pronounced "lane") is superintendent of the Princeton Public Schools where he previously served as middle school principal.

His prior experience includes stints as an administrator and teacher in both public and private schools in Minnesota. Lahn earned statewide recognition for gains made in reading scores and he has been a Bush Educators Fellow with the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

“Following the second screening in early October, the board will determine whether to make an employment offer or to continue to screen other persons from the original finalist pool,” said board chair Dean Anderson. “The board was most appreciative of the insights of the screening team members as it was delighted in the overall quality of the field of finalists.”

Other finalists included Rick Bleichner, superintendent in Breckenridge; Paul Carlson, superintendent in New London-Spicer; David Pace, superintendent in East Grand Forks; Scott Monson, superintendent in Morris; and Lee Westrum, superintendent in Benson.

The board hopes that the new superintendent can begin work with the district shortly after Dr. Terry Quist retires at the end of this calendar year.

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