Three finalists make short list for Cambridge superintendent

The Idaho School Boards Association has released the names of three finalists for the position of Cambridge School District superintendent after an initial round of interviews.

 The ISBA was hired by the Cambridge school board to direct the search for a superintendent/high school principal to replace Ed Schumacher, who is leaving at the end of the current school year. 

 Two of the finalists are currently teaching in Idaho and one is in Alaska. A community meet and greet with the finalists is scheduled for Feb. 21. The Cambridge School District trustees will interview the finalists on Friday, Feb. 22.

 In the rural district, which has an enrollment of 131 students, the superintendent also serves as the principal for grades six through 12. The position requires a master’s degree or higher, along with an Idaho administrative credential with a superintendent endorsement or the eligibility to get the endorsement. 

 Among many tasks, the superintendent also is involved in creating and administering the district’s annual budget. The general fund budget for the district in fiscal year 2018-19 is $1.9 million. The total district budget, including all funds, is $2.97 million. The district has 20 certified staff members and 13 support personnel.

 The school board will offer a competitive compensation package including a salary range of not less than $80,000 and benefits to the successful candidate, according to the ISBA job announcement.

 The three finalists include:

 Anthony Butler is currently a mathematics teacher in the Nampa School District. He has served in this position at the Nampa School District for the past 10 years. He received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northwest Nazarene University, a master’s degree in middle school math from Walden University, and is currently enrolled in the Educational Specialist – Executive Leadership program at Boise State University.    

 Brad Calkins is currently a robotics and business teacher in the Middleton School District. Prior to that, he completed an administrator internship and served as athletic director in the Highland School District.  

 He has served as a business education teacher and various coaching roles in other districts in Idaho and Washington. He received a bachelor’s degree in business education from the University of Idaho, a master’s degree in management information systems, and an education specialist certificate in management and organizational leadership from the University of Idaho. 

 Joseph Krause is currently a principal and teacher in the Yukon-Koyukuk School District in Alaska. Prior to that, he served as head of school at Hope Academy (North Carolina), superintendent/principal at Swan Valley School District in Idaho. 

 He has served as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent/principal at other school districts in Alaska and Michigan. He received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Spring Arbor University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Saignaw Valley State University.    

 Schumacher plans to return to teaching or counseling when his contract is up at the end of the current school year in June of 2019. He has served as the superintendent in Cambridge since 2007.

 The Cambridge School Board signed a MOU with the Idaho School Boards Association to assist in the search for a new superintendent. The ISBA will act as a consultant to the district in the search process.

 At a special meeting of the Cambridge School Board in September the decision was made to hire the ISBA for $8,500 to do the marketing and a full search for a new superintendent. The cost is reimbursable through school board training funding from the state.