People Watch
School Administrator, March 2019
Jason R. Alexander
Jason Alexander is the new superintendent in Beatrice, Neb., Public Schools. Alexander most recently served as superintendent in Ord, Neb., Public Schools for seven years and was an elementary school principal in Ord for two years. He began his career in education as a 6th-grade teacher and coach in Sargent, Neb., for a decade before moving into administration as the elementary school administrator in Burwell, Neb. Alexander has been a member of AASA since 2017.




Jay O. Bellar
After serving as superintendent for Battle Creek Public Schools in Battle Creek, Neb., for 20 years, Jay Bellar has moved into the executive director position with the Nebraska School Activities Association in Lincoln, responsible for overseeing interscholastic athletics in the Cornhusker State. He spent the past 11 years on the association’s board. Earlier in his career, Bellar was a teacher, coach, principal and activities director in Battle Creek before taking over the superintendent job. Bellar is a 20-year member of AASA.




Mervin B. Daugherty
A former Delaware Superintendent of the Year now holds the top spot in Chesterfield County Public Schools in Chesterfield, Va. Merv Daugherty previously served as superintendent in Delaware’s largest district, the 16,000-student Red Clay Consolidated School District from 2009 to 2018. He also served Red Clay as assistant superintendent for academics, director of professional development and both a middle school and high school principal. He earned his Ed.D. in leadership in education from Wilmington University in New Castle, Del. Daugherty joined the membership ranks of AASA in 2011.

 


T. Elisabeth Davis
The Alabama State Department of Education in Montgomery, Ala., has a new assistant state superintendent in the office of student learning. Elisabeth Davis has spent her entire 20-year career in Alabama, most recently as superintendent in Eufaula. She earlier was director of curriculum and instruction in Pelham, assistant superintendent in Tuscaloosa and assistant principal in Columbiana. A member of AASA since 2015, Davis earned her Ed.D. in educational leadership from Samford University.

 


Talisa L. Dixon
Talisa Dixon is returning to Columbus, Ohio, City Schools, as superintendent, having served as principal in two Columbus high schools from 2001 to 2010. Dixon moves to Columbus after five years as superintendent of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District. She also served as deputy superintendent in Saginaw, Mich., and began her career as a teacher and assistant principal in Akron, Ohio. Dixon holds an Ed.D. in educational administration from the University of Akron. She has been an AASA member since 2017.




Anna P. Nolin
After serving in the Natick, Mass., Public Schools as assistant superintendent for teaching, learning and innovation since 2013, Anna Nolin has been promoted to superintendent of the 5,500-student school system. Nolin also worked as middle school principal and vice principal for 10 years in the district. She began her education career in Framingham, Mass., as a language arts teacher. She earned her Ed.D. in educational leadership from the Lynch College of Education at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass., and has taught graduate courses at Endicott College and Framingham State University. Nolin joined AASA in 2016.






APPOINTMENTS
Jennifer O. Cappelletti, from principal, Ten Broeck Academy, Franklinville, N.Y., to superintendent, Scio, N.Y.
Harold Dean, from director of grants, Freeport, N.Y., to superintendent, Little Flower Union Free Schools, Wading River, N.Y.
Paul Defendini, from assistant superintendent for business to superintendent, Farmingdale, N.Y.
Jason Harris, from business manager to superintendent, Morrisville, Pa.
Joseph Kardash, from superintendent, Colton-Pierrepont Central Schools, Colton, N.Y., to superintendent, Rensselaer, N.Y.
Travis Madison, from superintendent, Barr-Reeve Community Schools, Montgomery, Ind., to superintendent, Richland-Bean Blossom Community Schools, Ellettsville, Ind.
Lynda Quick, from superintendent and chief operating officer, Cattaraugus-Allegany-Erie-Wyoming BOCES, Olean, N.Y., to superintendent, Skaneateles, N.Y.
Marion Smith Jr., from regional director of K-12 learning, leadership and system and school improvement, Puget Sound Educational Service District, Renton, Wash., to executive director of learning improvement, Kent, Wash.
Sandy Strayer, from interim superintendent to superintendent, Henry County School District, Collinsville, Va.
Brian Strusz, from assistant superintendent to superintendent, Pleasant Valley School District, Riverdale, Iowa
 
 
RETIREMENTS
Penny Chennell-Carter, superintendent, Oroville City Elementary School District, Oroville, Calif.
Robert Cronin, superintendent, North Haven, Conn.
Barbara Deane-Williams, superintendent, Rochester, N.Y.
Rob Friese, superintendent, Willapa Valley School District, Raymond, Wash.
Randy Fuller, superintendent, Shelby County Schools, Columbiana, Ala.
James R. Spelhaug, superintendent, Pleasant Valley School District, Riverdale, Iowa
Cynthia Stachowski, superintendent, Little Flower Union Free School District, Wading River, N.Y.
Richard Stout, superintendent, Onslow County School District, Jacksonville, N.C.
Leslie “Les” Tubb, superintendent, Brunswick County Schools, Bolivia, N.C.
Teresa Weatherall Neal, superintendent, Grand Rapids, Mich.

 
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