People Watch
School Administrator, May 2020
David Buck
After five years in the superintendency of the 1,700-student Wright City R2 School District in Missouri, David Buck has taken the top berth in the Lee’s Summit R-7 schools in Missouri. Buck previously was assistant superintendent in Wright City. He also served as a high school principal in Warren County, Mo. He first worked as a field botanist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. An AASA member since 2015, he holds AASA national certification and a doctorate from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis.
Dan W. Cox
After five years in the top post of the Staunton Community Unit School District in Staunton, Ill., Dan Cox will move into the superintendency of Illinois’ Rochester Community Unit School District. Cox earlier filled the superintendency of the Jasper County Community Unit School District in Newton, Ill., for five years. He also served a five-year stint as principal at East Richland Elementary School in Olney, Ill., following an assistant principalship in East Richland. Cox, who is completing his Ed.D. degree in educational administration this spring at Illinois State University, became an AASA member in 2010.
Deb Henton
The new executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators is Deb Henton, who has served for 13 years as superintendent for the North Branch Area Public Schools in Minnesota. Over her career, she has worked as a teacher and assistant principal in South Washington County, Minn., and as a high school principal, executive director of alternative learning programs and chief of staff in St. Paul. She was named 2018 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. An AASA member since 2005, Henton earned a doctoral degree at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Devon O. Horton
After two years as the chief of schools for the Jefferson County Public School System in Louisville, Ky., Devon Horton has been named superintendent of the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 in Illinois. Horton earlier worked in Illinois as deputy superintendent of achievement and administration in East St. Louis, and as principal, assistant principal and middle school teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. An AASA member since 2019, Horton received his doctorate in educational system administration from Chicago State University.
Gene Freeman
The incoming superintendent of the 4,300-student Asheville City Schools in North Carolina is Gene Freeman, who has spent the past six years as superintendent of the Fox Chapel Area School District in Pittsburgh, Pa. Freeman previously served as superintendent of the Manheim Township School District near Lancaster, Pa., from 2008 to 2014. He began his career in Lumberton, N.C., as a teacher, teaching coordinator and executive director for curriculum and support programs. An AASA member since 2008, Freeman earned his Ed.D. in educational administration from Fayetteville State University.
The new superintendent of the 3,200-student Columbia Heights Public Schools in Minnesota is Zena Stenvik, who was elevated from executive director of educational services in the district. She has worked in Columbia Heights since 2007, earlier working as director of teaching and learning and staff development coordinator/AVID director. Previously, Stenvik worked in St. Paul, Minn., in teaching and administrative roles. She also has served as an adjunct professor in the department of leadership, policy and administration at the University of St. Thomas. Stenvik joined AASA in 2019.
APPOINTMENTS
Bernard F. Bragen Jr., from assistant professor, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, N.J., to superintendent, Edison Township, N.J.
Marceline Catlett, from deputy superintendent to superintendent, Fredericksburg, Va.
Don Coberly, from retired superintendent, Boise, Idaho, to co-CEO, RISE Education Partnership, Boise, Idaho
Mark Cross, from superintendent, Peru Elementary School District 24, Peru Ill., to superintendent, Cass School District 63, Darien, Ill.
Walter Gonsoulin Jr., from deputy superintendent to superintendent, Jefferson County Schools, Birmingham, Ala.
Rick Hilderley, from superintendent, Bronson, Mich., to superintendent, Tecumseh, Mich.
Kevin Hime, from superintendent, Clinton. Okla., to superintendent, Lawton, Okla.
Sanford Prince IV, from superintendent, Windham Raymond Schools RSU 14, Windham, Maine, to superintendent, Scarborough, Maine
Kyle Rydell, from assistant superintendent to superintendent, West Valley School District 363, Spokane, Wash.
Nick Steinmetz, from superintendent, Manchester, Mich., to superintendent, Madison School District, Adrian, Mich.
Steve Wilder, from superintendent, Knoxville, Ill., to superintendent, Sycamore, Ill.
Steve Wilson, from superintendent, Constantine, Mich., to superintendent, Bronson, Mich.
RETIREMENTS
Gary M. Amoroso, executive director, Minnesota Association of School Administrators, St. Paul, Minn.
Wayne Brookhart, superintendent, Berwick Area School District, Berwick, Pa.
Mark Flatau, superintendent, Kalispell, Mont.
Russell Greenholt, superintendent, Conewago Valley School District, New Oxford, Pa.
James Haley, superintendent, Wood River, Neb.
Deborah Hamm, superintendent, Newton, Kan.
Bruce Labs, superintendent, White River Valley Supervisory Union, Royalton, Vt.
Gene Sementi, superintendent, West Valley School District 363, Spokane, Wash.
Donald White, superintendent, Mokena School District 159, Mokena, Ill.
DEATHS
Clifford B. Janey, 73, retired superintendent, Newark, N.J., Public Schools, Feb. 13
Joseph V. Rella, 69, retired superintendent, Comsewogue, N.Y., Feb. 21
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