People Watch
School Administrator, June 2022


Paul R. Gausman

After serving since 2008 as superintendent in Sioux City, Iowa, Paul Gausman has been named the new superintendent in Lincoln, Neb. Gausman earlier worked as superintendent of West Central School District 49-7 in Hartford, S.D., for three years and held several coordinator positions in Sioux Falls, S.D. In his early career, he was stage manager for Kimball Recital Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. An AASA member since 2005, Gausman received his Ed.D. from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.

Aaron Leavell

The new superintendent of the Olympic Educational Service District 114 in Bremerton, Wash., is Aaron Leavell, who had been superintendent of the Bremerton School District for nine years. He also served as a principal in Bremerton. Previously, Leavell spent time as director of secondary education for North Kitsap School District in Poulsbo, Wash. He began his education career as a social studies and English teacher with Central Kitsap School District in Silverdale, Wash. Leavell, an AASA member since 2016, received his Ed.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Washington.

Michael G. Leichliter

Following a 13-year run as superintendent of Penn Manor School District in Lancaster, Pa., Michael Leichliter will assume the superintendency in Harwood Unified Union School District in Waitsfield, Vt. He held several previous posts in Penn Manor, including assistant superintendent for personnel and planning, principal and assistant principal. Leichliter began his education career in 1991 as a social studies teacher in York, Pa. He has been an AASA member since 2008 and received his Ed.D. from Widener University in Chester, Pa.


Steven J. Maloney

Steve Maloney is now superintendent in Bay Shore, N.Y., after being the 6,000-student district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and administration since 2013. He has held several other positions in the district: assistant superintendent for administration, principal, assistant principal and social studies teacher. For over two decades, Maloney was a licensed captain for Fire Island Ferries in Bay Shore, N.Y. An AASA member since 2008, he received his Ed.D. from St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y.

Robert Watson

The School Administrators of Montana has named Robert Watson as its new executive director. Watson joins the organization after two years as superintendent in Missoula, Mont., and seven years as superintendent in Bozeman, Mont. He previously held principalships in both districts as well as in Great Falls, Mont., and Anchorage, Alaska. Watson currently serves on the Montana Board of Public Education. He was named the 2018 Montana Superintendent of the Year. A 10-year AASA member, Watson received his Ed.D. from the University of Mon-tana.


APPOINTMENTS
Sara Ahern, from superintendent, Franklin, Mass., to superintendent, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, Mass.
Eric J. Cederstrom, from deputy superintendent, Pine Tree Independent School District, Longview, Texas, to superintendent, Stephenville, Texas
Chad Jones, from superintendent, Sinton, Texas, to superintendent, Decatur, Texas
Charles L. Ledbetter, from superintendent, Pike Road, Ala., to superintendent, Pelham, Ala.
Jason Pearson, from superintendent, St. Charles, Ill., to superintendent, Northbrook, Ill.
Akil Ross, from interim superintendent to superintendent, Lexington-Richland County School District 5, Irmo, S.C.
Lisamarie Spindler, from assistant superintendent of finance, Newburgh, N.Y., to superintendent, Hudson, N.Y.
Christopher Thompson, from superintendent, Rosholt, Wis., to superintendent, De Pere, Wis.
Rodney E. Watson, from superintendent, Spring Independent School District, Houston, Texas, to deputy executive director, Texas Association of School Boards, Austin, Texas
RETIREMENTS