The Kalama School Board has narrowed its search for the district’s next superintendent down to three finalists. Now, the district is inviting all staff, students, families and community members to meet the candidates during a series of public forums next week.
Each of the finalists will spend a separate day in the district next week, where they’ll tour school facilities, meet students, staff and city leaders, interview with the school board, and answer questions during an hour-long community forum.
The three finalists, and their date in the district, are as follows:
Matthew Holshouser: In-person forum on Monday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m., Kalama Middle School Commons
Matthew Holshouser has spent the past five years serving as an elementary school principal for Quillayute Valley School District in Forks, WA. Prior to that, he was a middle school principal in the Port Townsend School District.
With 25 years of experience in both public and private schools, Holshouser touts his ability to implement and foster positive school community culture, design and implement effective school-wide policies, programming, and curriculum, as well as ensure and model a safe, positive learning environment for all students.
He earned his Master’s of Education Degree from Montana State University in Bozeman.
Brandon Carranco-Moeller: In-person forum on Tuesday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m., Kalama Middle School Commons
Brandon Carranco-Moeller has spent the bulk of his 23-year career in education with the Clark County School District in Clark County, Nevada, serving for the past five years as director of the district’s Equity and Diversity Education Department.
In this role, Carranco-Moeller is responsible for assessing, creating, implementing, and evaluating district-wide diversity initiatives that support access, opportunity, and an equitable learning environment for all staff and students.
He earned his Master’s of Education Degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Thom Peck: In-person forum on Thursday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m., Kalama Middle School Commons
For the past six years, Thom Peck has served as the superintendent of Lewistown School District in Lewistown, Montana. During his tenure, he helped to implement a new special education classroom, a district-wide technology plan, and oversaw the successful passing of three consecutive levies and the district’s first major facilities bond since 1984.
Prior to joining Lewiston School District, he spent three years as the superintendent of Box Elder School District in Box Elder, MT, and, prior to that, three years as superintendent and activities director of Charlo School District in Charlo, MT. During his 25-year career in education, he has also served as a principal and assistant principal.
Peck received his Master’s of Education Degree from Seattle Pacific University.
During next week’s forums, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and learn more about each of the finalists. Questions can be submitted to the board in advance via the Google Form linked here.
A remote Zoom option is available to those who are unable to attend any of the forums in person (see information below).
The board intends to offer the position to one of the three finalists by the end of next week.
Zoom meeting information (use for all three forums):
Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8464...
Meeting ID: 846 4069 4542
Passcode: 087921