Candidate Abrahamson has ties to Don Langan
Candidates for the open District 361 superintendent position have been narrowed to two men, who after recent interviews by the school board and a community committee were taken on site interviews this week.
Discussion will continue at the board’s regular meeting set to begin at 5 p.m. Monday in the Falls High School cafeteria. There is a possibility of action on this hiring.
The choice now falls between candidates Jeffrey Peura, current superintendent of District 2580, East Central Schools, and Kevin Abrahamson, K-12 principal for District 2142’s Cook and Orr schools. Currently serving as interim Superintendent Kevin Grover, mentored during the Don Langan administration, did not apply for the position.
It appears that at least one of these candidates also has a prior association with Langan. In fact, Kevin Abrahamson was hired by Langan during Langan’s tenure in District 2142 — a district from which Langan was essentially ousted, according to a report in the Orr Timberjay.
Abrahamson’s hiring by Langan was highly controversial with several substantial undercurrents, according to the book “Plaintiff Blues: Job Discrimination and the Chilling Effect of Retaliation” by Judith Pearson. Once an employee of that district, Pearson had her own dealings with, and multiple complaints about, Langan. In her book, she provides a detailed account of Abrahamson’s hiring, loaded with criticisms about Langan’s tactics, control obsessions, and what she said several people refer to as “Langanese,” a term coined to describe Langan’s verbiage style.
In related business, the board is also expected to approve the hire of several new staff members, and teacher hirings will continue for additional open positions made vacant by the retirement of several faculty members, according to Sue Karsnia, District 361 office.
The following hires are slated for approval on the personnel agenda: Katie Prettyman as full-time secondary English teacher; Jonelle Mellstrom as full-time kindergarten teacher; Molly Pavleck as full-time kindergarten teacher; and Amanda Baron as full-time early childhood teacher. Other items on that agenda include a contract with David Skwarok; the hiring of Kellye Remus as a replacement educational support professional, the appointment of Susan Karsnia as a human rights officer for adult female employees; and the hiring of James Olson as a bus driver.
After receiving several cost estimates from various school-photo providers, on the agenda is the approval of a contract with Enstrom Studios to take student pictures for the 2010-11 school year.
The board is slated to approve the distribution schedule of youth levy funds for 2010-11. Several school policies are scheduled for revision approvals Monday.
The board will also decided whether to accept a recommendation by administration to reinstate an expelled student.
A resolution authorizing the district to enter into a line of credit with a financial institution is also on the agenda, as is the adoption of the 2010-11 tentative expenditure budget.
Reports are expected from principals Jerry Hilfer and Tim Everson. Grover is expected to report on a child nutrition review, school closing and an elementary transportation drop-off zone.
