PSD board chooses new superintendent

The superintendent of a small school district in Oregon will have the top job in Poudre School District on July 1, hinged on successful completion of contract documents.

The Poudre School District Board of Education voted 7-0 on Feb. 21 to approve a contract with Gerald "Jerry" Wilson for the position of superintendent of schools.

The contract is expected to be signed by March 10. Wilson, currently superintendent for the Hermiston School District in Oregon, will sign the negotiated contract with PSD after being released from his contract with Hermiston School District, where he is under contract through July 2006.

"We're very excited about having Dr. Wilson as our superintendent," said Ross Cunniff, board president. "Jerry is anxious to begin the transition to Poudre School District, and plans several visits to the district before the July 1 starting date. This transition time will enable him to meet with students, staff, parents and community leaders and become acquainted first hand with current issues and district topics."

Prior to the unanimous vote on the contract, board member M.L. Johnson said that Wilson's experience as a superintendent in other districts gave him edge for the PSD job. The district brought four candidates to Fort Collins for finalist interviews.

The board's decision followed a lengthy process involving community and staff focus groups, nationwide recruiting, a community- and staff-led screening process, interviews with the board and employee groups, community and staff forums and a visit to Oregon by PSD representatives.

"I am anxious to begin learning about the leadership of Poudre School District from board members and staff," Wilson said. "In the next few months, I will talk with many people about the district and their perceptions of what is going well and areas where we can find opportunities for improvement."

The board plans a retreat in late July to talk with Wilson about goals and district direction.

Prior to his current position, Wilson served as the superintendent, as well as a middle school teacher in Sublette School District 1, in Pinedale, Wyo. He also served as a principal, curriculum director, middle school teacher, and high school curriculum chair and teacher in Sublette School District 9, Big Piney, Wyo. Prior to that, he served as a Fulbright exchange teacher in London, England. Wilson received his Ph.D. in educational curriculum and instruction from the University of Wyoming; a master's in education curriculum and supervision from Idaho State University; and a bachelor's in philosophy and English from the University of Maryland.

In addition, Wilson completed a Change Leadership Institute and a Civic Leadership Institute at Harvard University, has served on the National Academy for Superintendents, participated in Leadership Hermiston and served as the president of the Wyoming Association of School Administrators.