(Oskaloosa, IA) – The Oskaloosa School District Board of Education has announced two finalists for district superintendent. The finalists are Paula Wright, Superintendent of Schools in Chariton, Iowa; and Todd Meyer, Superintendent of Schools in Jackson County, Minnesota.

The public is invited to the Candidate Meet and Greet Community Forums, scheduled to take place on Monday, April 30 at the Oskaloosa Elementary School Commons at 1801 Orchard Ave.

• 5:30 PM Paula Wright, Superintendent of Chariton Community School District
• 6:30 PM Todd Meyer, Superintendent of Jackson County Central School District

Attendees may complete candidate impression forms to share input with the board to assist in their final decision. Candidates’ resumes, are available on the Oskaloosa Community Schools Website at http://www.oskaloosa.k12.ia.us/.

ABOUT PAULA WRIGHT

Paula Wright is currently serving as the Superintendent for the Chariton Community School District in Chariton, Iowa. She studied Educational Leadership at Iowa State University, completing her Certificate of Advanced Studies in 2005. Paula earned a Master of Science Degree from Drake University in Educational Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Simpson College in Elementary and Special Education. Paula has teaching experience in Special Education, 2nd, and 4th grades and had previously served as an Elementary Principal for nine years prior to assuming the Superintendent role in 2007. In her free time she enjoys quilting, swimming, bicycling, and spending time with family and friends. Paula is grateful for the opportunity to explore what the Oskaloosa School District has to offer and is excited for the possibility of helping the Oskaloosa School District foster an environment where all students can embrace the power of learning.

ABOUT TODD MEYER

Todd Meyer is the current Superintendent at Jackson County Central School District in Jackson, Minnesota. He has led the district for 10 years. Prior to that, Mr. Meyer served for three years as the Superintendent at Nicollet School District in Nicollet, Minnesota. During his career, he has been a High School Principal, Middle School Principal, and K-12 Principal in Pipestone and Nicollet, Minnesota; and Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Before going into administration, Mr. Meyer taught High School Social Studies for 12 years in Watertown, South Dakota; and in Farmington and Northfield, Minnesota. He was born and raised in Spencer, Iowa and got his educational degrees from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Each of the finalists will spend the day visiting the Oskaloosa Area School District and participating in a series of meetings with district employees and community members. The board will also interview the finalists for a second time during their visit to the district and plans to discuss final candidate selection on Monday evening after completing the interview process and reviewing stakeholder feedback.

The finalist announcement is the culmination of a comprehensive search conducted by the board with the assistance of the search firm, Ray and Associates. The search process included many hours of reviewing application materials, interviewing semifinalist candidates and carefully assessing the qualification of candidates in relation to the candidate profile determined by the board, district employees, and community members. The board evaluated 11 applicants from a pool of 46 from across the country, and interviewed six semi-finalists before narrowing the search to the two finalists.