(Atlantic) The Atlantic School Board on Wednesday approved the hiring of interim Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen.
Atlantic School Board President Laura McLean stated, the board received nine applications and interviewed four candidates.
McLean stated the board approved a two-year contract. She said the board had not considered an interim contract could be longer than one year.
Three board members are up for re-election this fall including McLean, Nick Hunt, and Jenny Williams. That means there is a potential for three new board members on November 7, that would not be sworn in until possibly December.
Dr. Johnsen is currently serving as an interim Superintendent at Thayer Central Schools in Nebraska. Prior to her working in her current district, Dr. Johnsen was a Superintendent for 10 years at Conestoga Public Schools, in Southeast Nebraska.
The board voted 4-1 to approve the contract. Board member Josh McLaren voted no because he did not approve the two-year contract.
Dr. Johnsen has spent time as an educator at Buena Vista University teaching educational leadership courses and also has spent time consulting and coaching individuals in school leadership.
According to the press release, ACSD Interim Superintendent, Dr. Johnsen stated; she sees herself as a “leader of leaders, with her primary focus being on empowering and supporting all staff. Johnson shares that she is eager and excited to become a Trojan. Right off the bat, she plans to focus on the current culture of the district and where the district wants it to be. She is ready to empower leaders within every department, which she hopes has a significant impact overall.”
Dr. Johnsen currently resides in the Underwood area with her husband, Ben, of 42 years. Dr. Johnsen and Ben have five grown and married children and 15 grandchildren.
She will take over her role as the District’s Interim Superintendent on July 1, 2023.
Additional information will be released soon.
