MERRILL, Wis. (WSAU) — Merrill Area Public Schools has a new Superintendent, and it’s someone that already knows the district. School Board President Jen Selinger says the board narrowed down about thirty candidates before reaching a decision. “We had two nights of first interviews last week Monday and Thursday. Last night, we had a second round for the two finalists, and we have selected Dr. John Sample, the Director of Pupil Services from the District of Merrill to be our next Superintendent of Schools in Merrill.” Sample was the Director of Pupil Services for the past eight years.
Albany Wisconsin Superintendent Dr. Stephen Guenther was the other finalist vying for the position left vacant with Wally Liepart’s resignation at the end of April.
Dr. Sample’s contract still has to be finalized and then approved by the school board at the June 29th meeting.
Selinger says they still have a few positions to fill this summer. “We have the Director of Curriculum that we need to fill. We temporarily have Gerald Beyer in that position right now in an interim basis. He is also the Principal at the middle school. Beyond that, we didn’t have anything else unfilled until obviously now. That (hiring Sample) opens up the Director of Pupil Services & Special Ed that Dr. Sample held.”
When Liepart resigned, so did Assistant Superintendent Michele Jahnke. Emails suggesting an affair between the two became public earlier this month.
Selinger says the board has decided not to replace her. “The board has kind of gone the direction of more we are not going to fill an Assistant Superintendent, but just the Director of Curriculum position.”
Selinger says the Merrill Board of Education is pleased to have Dr. Sample named Superintendent in a relatively short period of time. “It is a great relief, and we know we’re in good hands, so we’re ready to keep moving forward.”
Brad Potter has accepted the Associate Principal position at Merrill High School and Jolene Weix has accepted the Girls Basketball coaching position.
Selinger says there are a few teaching positions yet to fill this summer.
