There’s been a shake-up in leadership at the Bering Strait School District. The BSSD Board of Education has placed superintendent Brett Agenbroad on administrative leave, and appointed Bobby Bolen as acting superintendent until a permanent hire is made.
The decision was announced during last week’s board meeting in Anchorage. Agenbroad has been with the district for about a year and a half, and will be on leave until his contract ends next June 2015. BSSD employees were notified earlier this week. Board members did not provide comment on why this decision was made.
Acting superintendent Bobby Bolen has been with the Bering Strait district for about 10 years. He has worked in the district office, in Savoonga as assistant principal, and most recently as principal in St. Michael. Board chair Aurora Johnson says he was selected for the interim position because of experience with and knowledge of the district.
Craig Sherwood, who was the assistant principal in Stebbins, will take over Bolen’s post as interim principal in St. Michael. Both Bolen and Johnson say their priority is making sure students aren’t adversely affected by the changes in leadership. The search for a permanent superintendent will begin in January.
Board chair Johnson also affirmed that a few new members were elected to the board in the recent election. Moving forward, she says the board shares Bolen’s goal of adjusting BSSD’s curriculum to match rising state standards.
