School Board Announces Superintendent Finalists | February 1, 2023
At the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board Special Meeting on January 31, the school board announced their top four finalists for superintendent: Frank Hauser, Luke Meinert, Dr. Ryan Scallon, and Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi.
In November 2022, the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board retained the services of Ray and Associates, Inc. to assist them in the search for a new superintendent. The company’s consultants met virtually with the Board and conducted numerous virtual stakeholder meetings and a survey to determine the qualities and characteristics most desired in the new superintendent. Twenty-two applications for the superintendent position were received.
On January 26, the board virtually interviewed top candidates. On January 31, the board met to determine the finalists for the position. The finalists are:
Frank Hauser - Mr. Hauser is the superintendent of the Sitka School District, a position he has held since 2021. Prior to that he was the principal at Service High School in Anchorage for five years. He also served in the district as assistant principal and the director of music and fine arts. He was a teacher for six years. Mr. Hauser has a master’s degree of arts and a bachelor’s degree of arts in music.
Luke Meinert - Currently the assistant superintendent in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Mr. Meinert has served in that role since 2020. Previously, he was the assistant superintendent in the Yukon-Koyokuk School District for one year, and he also served the district as the director of technology and school operations from 2013-2019. He was a teacher for eight years. Mr. Meinert plans to complete his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Administration in June of 2023. He has two master’s degrees – one in Educational Leadership and Administration, and one in Educational Technology.
Dr. Ryan Scallon - Dr. Scallon is an assistant superintendent with the School District of Philadelphia, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and he has been in that position for four years. Prior to that he was the chief academic officer of a charter school district and a principal at another charter school in Pennsylvania. Dr. Scallon was also a teacher for three years. He has a doctorate and a master’s degree in educational leadership.
Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi - Currently the superintendent of Pennsauken Public Schools, in Pennsauken, New Jersey, Dr. Tarchichi has held that position since 2016. From 2013-2016 he was the superintendent of the Woodlynne School District in Woodlynne New Jersey. Prior to that he was a principal, a supervisor of secondary education, and he was a teacher for four years. Dr. Tarchichi has two doctorate degrees – one in Special Education and one in Educational Leadership.
Final interviews for the superintendent position will occur on Saturday, February 18. There will be additional opportunities for the public to engage with the finalists on February 16 and 17. The details about those opportunities have yet to be finalized but will be publicized as soon as they are available.
