The School Board for the Becker Public Schools is pleased to announce that four finalists will be considered for the position of Superintendent of Schools.

 

These individuals, with solid experience as educational leaders in the state, provide strong choices to the district. The finalists were drawn from a field of 32 applicants for the position. They were selected based on criteria developed by the Board and other stakeholders. These finalists will be interviewed in the district on February 20.

 

 

Jean Duffy is the Assistant Superintendent for the Becker district where she has also worked as a Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Her service to Becker began in 2010. Jean’s prior work was in a similar assignment in Lakeview. Jean has also been a Title I coordinator and Reading Specialist. Early in her career, she was a teacher in a Family Literacy program. Jean holds a Doctorate from St. Cloud State and earned her licensure through St. Mary’s. Her Masters and Bachelors degrees were awarded through Southwest Minnesota State.

 

 

Jon Ellerbusch has served for the past two years as the Director of Finance and HR for the North Branch Area Public Schools. He was superintendent at Royalton from 2010 through 2017. Jon has served as a middle level and high school principal. Early in his career, he was a social studies teacher. Jon was granted his Doctorate from the University of South Dakota where he also earned his Specialist degree. His Masters and Bachelors degrees were earned through Northern State University.

 

 

Jeremy Schmidt has been the superintendent for Lester Prairie since 2015. Before that, he was a principal in that same district. Jeremy has served as an Adjunct instructor for St. Mary’s for the past several years where he has delivered coursework in curriculum development. Early in his career, he taught at both the elementary and middle levels. He has completed the coursework for his Doctorate and earned his administrative licensure through St. Mary’s where his Masters was also awarded. Jeremy’s Bachelors degree in Elementary Education was earned through St. Cloud State.

 

 

Brad Sellner has been the superintendent for Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted since 2009. 

 

These candidates bring a variety of skills and experiences to the interview table. Many have been involved in school construction projects, coached extra curricular activities, and held positions of leadership in organizations in the communities they have served. 

 

The Becker School Board will be assisted in the final steps of the screening process by a staff team drawn from members from across the school program as well as by an administrative team and a team comprised of individuals from the Becker community. Candidates will start their final screening experience on February 20 with a brief site tour and then interview with the staff, administrative, community, and Board teams prior to the Board making its choice. 

 

The new leader is expected to be named by the end of February and is slated to begin in the district in July when Steve Malone will retire.