The Daily News

The process of finding a successor to retiring superintendent Mike Connell continued Wednesday, as the Wahpeton School Board convened to interview their third of five candidates this week, Dr. Michael D. Campbell.

Campbell is currently the superintendent of Sargent Central Public School District No. 6 in Forman, N.D., and from 1998 to 2003 was superintendent of Platte Community School District No. 11-3, in Platt, S.D.

Asked why he is interested in the superintendent position in Wahpeton, Campbell responded, "I'm looking for new challenges as a superintendent. Opportunities like this don't come often... It's time to pursue other educational avenues and advance my professional career."

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Campbell described the key to being an effective superintendent as visibility with the community, communication with the school board through memos and e-mail, and by being personable. While he doesn't find explicit personal contact to be "substantiative," he iterated that his door is always open.

The board asked how he would approach bottom-line decisions.

"When you make decisions you have to look at your policy... seek input from veteran administrators and staff," Campbell said. "Your policy should be a strong indicator of decision-making and the philosophical beliefs of the school board." He added that school policies are guidelines and the board should be sympathetic to students, "more of a punitive type thing."

Throughout the interview Campbell emphasized his background with handling finances. As an example, he disclosed that Sargent Central was in dire straits his second year as superintendent, and that he had to borrow $200,000 to make payroll.

"We were a broke district and we had to take desperate measures," including reducing his staff, he said. But through his administration, his school hasn't been back to the bank since — they now have $500,000 in reserve.

Campbell's approach to a two to three year plan would be to use line-item management and work with his staff and the board as a team. Campbell added that set, feasible goals are a must, organized by a leader, whose drive and decisions are based on sound information, particularly demography, and a resolute understanding of policy.

Campbell stressed academics is priority in a tough financial situation, but funding arts and athletics is also important.

"If you can sustain them you must do both arts and athletics with equal importance. One isn't more important than the other," he said. "These programs... (are what) keep some of them (the students) in school."

Campbell cited an example of how a school in Rockford, Ill., decided to cut its elective programs, causing parents to withdraw their students and leave, which devastated property taxes, as well as causing a drastic increase in both teen crime and underage teen pregnancy.

"But, the school saved a few dollars," he said.

Campbell said the annual yearly progress is going to be a challenge over the next five years, demanded by Congress in allocating funds per the mandates established by No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Wahpeton schools are succeeding in reaching these mandates, but Campbell sees this as mere attrition. His aim would be to surpass these mandates by meetings the unique need of individual students.

"An administrator must be pliable when it comes to students' needs," he said.

Campbell said that, while the first year is critical for an administrator, he doesn't foresee making any changes. His priority would be getting to know the staff, formally and informally, before evaluating any needed changes with his team. Then he would begin to explore and assemble information to better anticipate any problems in weaker areas, and ultimately institute strategic developments to resolve such problems before they are realized.

The final two candidates will be interviewed individually on Thursday and Friday nights at the Wahpeton School District. The board will deliberate and announce its decision on Monday.

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