Assistant Superintendent “promoted from within” to top district spot after 3-2 vote of School Board Monday.
DILLINGHAM: Danny Frazier will replace Bill McLeod as the Superintendent of Dillingham City Schools, following a 3-2 vote of the school board Monday night. McLeod announced his resignation/retirement in January, as he and his wife Cheri will relocate to Seattle for medical reasons.
Danny Frazier had McLeod’s backing for the job, as well as the support of both district principals, the local teachers’ association, and other staff and employees. Some parents and two board members, however, have been critical of Frazier’s handling of the district’s special education program, and have been vocally opposed to his hiring to the district’s top spot.
Among those parents opposed was Rae Belle Whitcomb, who added that the district owed other qualified individuals at least an opportunity to apply.
“This is a job that pays over $100,000,” she said during public testimony Monday. “There are a lot of very qualified people out there, across Alaska, who deserve an equal chance to apply for such a well-paying position.”
Whitcomb and others asked the district to form a committee to recruit for the superintendent’s position, a task several mentioned would be timely, and costly.
Middle and High School Principal Bill Schwann spoke briefly to the board in support of hiring Danny Frazier.
“Board, Mr. Chair, I just want to say a few things. I’d say character, integrity, hard-working,” he said, indicating towards Frazier seated nearby. “As my grandpa used to say, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Thank you.”
After an executive session, the board members voted unanimously to appoint Frazier as Interim Superintendent for the remainder of this school year. The next vote, offering him a contract for the 2015-2016 school year, was split 2-2, with Kim Williams and Sarah Andrew voting against, and Patty Luckhurst and Tonya O’Connor voting in favor.
Chris Napoli’s vote in favor broke the tie, and was met with applause by the room.