Cd'A schools pick temporary leader

COEUR d’ALENE — Stanley Olson, a longtime educator and the former Boise Schools superintendent, will serve as interim superintendent of Coeur d’Alene Public Schools in the coming school year. During its meeting Monday at the Midtown Center, the Board of Trustees approved hiring Olson.

“I am honored and thankful to be selected by the Board to serve as the District Superintendent for the 2017-18 school year,” Olson said in a news release. “The Coeur d’Alene school system is recognized throughout Idaho and the Northwest as being progressive and strongly committed to the ongoing development of every child. I plan to bring my learning experiences from 42 years of serving students, educators and families around the country to support the continuous improvement educational model that has been so successfully operating here.”

Olson’s decades of experience span three states and include 12 years as superintendent. He spent eight years as superintendent of the Boise Independent School District, with a student population of 25,000.

“Not being from North Idaho, I realize that I will have a lot to learn about the district and community,” Olson said. “I will greatly appreciate the help and support of the Board, staff and our patrons to guide my efforts throughout the coming year so that they may result in the outcomes and benefits desired.”

Olson also has served as a teacher, coach, principal, director of community education, director of communications, assistant superintendent and adjunct faculty member. He will leave his position as director of business development for Silverback Learning Solutions in Boise.

Olson has a doctor of education degree in educational leadership from Western Michigan University. He is active in more than a dozen national and state organizations, including the Century Club — National Superintendents Organization, District Management Council of America and Mountain West Superintendents Roundtable.

“The Board was impressed with the quality of candidates we were able to attract for this position,” said Board Chairman Casey Morrisroe. “Dr. Olson stood out to us based on his wealth of knowledge and experience in public school administration, including managing over $100 million in voter-approved bonds to pay for new and improved schools in the Boise School District. He’s the right choice during this time of transition for our school district.”

Olson will begin July 1, 2017, and serve until June 30, 2018. He replaces Trina Caudle, the district’s director of Secondary Education, who has been acting superintendent since Matt Handelman resigned April 21 after accepting a job with Evergreen Public Schools in Western Washington.

The Board of Trustees will begin its search for a permanent superintendent this fall. Community meetings will be scheduled to give stakeholders input on the selection. At the board’s request, the interim superintendent will not be allowed to apply for the permanent position.