People Watch
School Administrator, March 2017


Dee O. Fowler
Longtime Alabama educator Dee Fowler is now chief of staff to the state superintendent for the Alabama Department of Education. Fowler was superintendent of Madison, Ala., City Schools for the past nine years, where he previously served as assistant superintendent and director of administration, operations and personnel. Previously, he spent 23 years with the Madison County Schools in Huntsville, Ala., as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. Fowler, a member of AASA since 2007, holds an Ed.D. from the University of Alabama.


Karen Garza
The new president and CEO of Battelle for Kids in Columbus, Ohio, is Karen Garza, who most recently served as superintendent of the 186,000-student Fairfax County Public Schools in Falls Church, Va., for three years. Earlier, she was superintendent in Lubbock, Texas, for four years and chief academic officer in Houston. Garza also spent time with the Texas Association of School Administrators as associate executive director for governmental relations. An AASA member since 2009, she earned her Ph.D. at the University of Texas-Austin.


Michelle R. Saylor
Following four years as assistant superintendent, Michelle Saylor has become superintendent of Bellefonte, Pa., Area School District. Saylor earlier was director of curriculum, instruction and staff development in the Wilson School District in West Lawn, Pa., and held various administrative posts, including principal, in the Manheim, Pa., Central School District. She began as an English teacher in Millville, Pa. An AASA member since 2010, Saylor holds her Ed.D. in educational leadership from Widener University in Chester, Pa.


Sonya L. Whitaker
The Harvey, Ill., School District has welcomed Sonya Whitaker as its new superintendent. Most recently, Whitaker was superintendent of the Fairmont School District in Lockport, Ill., for six years. Previously, she served as director of literacy and then director for academic improvement in Schaumburg, Ill. A member of the association since 2013, Whitaker completed AASA’s national superintendent certification program this month. She earned an Ed.D. in educational leadership and administration from Northern Illinois University.




SIDELIGHT
When Steve Baker retires in June after eight years as superintendent in Elkhorn, Neb., he will not have missed a home football game in 42 years. For the past 29 years, he’s served as stadium announcer for the Elkhorn High School Antlers and for the Elkhorn South High School Storm since that school’s opening in 2010. Earlier, he spent time on the field as the high school band director. . A native Nebraskan, Baker, 64, came to Elkhorn in 1975 when it had just 1,000 students in three schools. Now its enrollment is nearing 9,000 and school number 17 is under construction. Announcing the popular sport (average attendance is 2,500) keeps him close to students and connects him to the community. “It lets them know that you’re not just a superintendent, you’re a person who cares about their children — and their tax dollars,” says Baker (an AASA member since 2009). While he’ll miss the gig in retirement, he’s looking forward to going on dates with his wife on Friday nights again.



APPOINTMENTS

Carol Blanchette, from superintendent, Jamestown, R.I., to chief of teaching and learning, Rhode Island Department of Education, Providence, R.I.
Christopher Borsari, from principal, Byram Hills High School, Armonk, N.Y., to superintendent, Public Schools of the Tarrytowns, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Bryan Bowles, from superintendent, Davis School District, Farmington, Utah, to associate professor of educational leadership and foundations, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
Audie Brown, from superintendent, Estancia, N.M., to superintendent, Silver City, N.M.
Peter Cummings, from associate executive director, LEARN, Old Lyme, Conn., to superintendent, Narragansett, R.I.
Kathleen Evison, from chief of student services, Reading, Pa., to superintendent, Southern Lehigh School District, Center Valley, Pa.
Shellie A. Feola, from superintendent, Pottsgrove School District, Pottstown, Pa., to assistant executive director, Delaware County Intermediate Unit, Morton, Pa.
Robb Garrand, from interim superintendent to superintendent, Northeastern Clinton CSD, Champlain, N.Y.
Kelli Moulton, from superintendent, Hereford, Texas, to superintendent, Galveston, Texas
George Rafferty, from superintendent, Tabernacle Township School District, Tabernacle, N.J., to superintendent, Mount Laurel, N.J.
Timothy P. Williams, from assistant superintendent, Manheim Township School District, Lancaster, Pa., to superintendent, Westmont Hilltop School District, Johnstown, Pa.


HONORS
Debbi Burdick, superintendent, Cave Creek, Ariz., named Paradise Valley Community College Outstanding Community Leader for 2016



DEATHS
Larry Jacobs, 69, retired superintendent, Wolf Creek, Alberta, Dec. 15
Francis LaBounty, 47, superintendent, CJI Schools, Chester, Mont., Dec. 6
Don Mitchell, 81, retired superintendent, Chehalis, Wash., Nov. 22
Robert Sperber, 87, retired superintendent, Brookline, Mass., Dec. 21
Cheryl Wojtas, 58, retired superintendent, Gaylord, Mich., Dec. 3


News about AASA members’ promotions, retirements, honors and deaths should be addressed to: Editor, School Administrator, 1615 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Fax: 703-841-1543. E-mail: magazine@aasa.org