- Granite Falls School District 332
- New Superintendent Search
2023 New Superintendent Search
-
New Superintendent Selected for Granite Falls School District
The Granite Falls School District #332 Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Mrs. Geaslen as the next superintendent, pending successful negotiations of the contract. She will start on July 1, 2024.
After conducting a national search through Northwest Leadership and Associates, Mrs. Geaslen was selected from a pool of 20 candidates. The search process was initiated by the board in May of 2023.
Dana Geaslen is the current Assistant Superintendent of Education Services in the Edmonds School District. Prior experiences include being Director of Student Services, Teaching, Learning, and Assessment for the Camas School District, Director of Student Services and Elementary teacher for the Selah School District, Special Education Coordinator and High School teacher for the Enumclaw School District, and High School teacher with the Bend La Pine School District in Bend Oregon.
“The board in a unanimous 5-0 vote, chose to select Mrs. Geaslen as our next superintendent. We felt her background, personality, and professional qualifications were a great fit for our district. The board is excited to collectively work with Mrs. Geaslen to provide the best educational outcomes for the students and the families we serve.”
An open house will be held at a later date to welcome Mrs. Geaslen to the district.
Granite Falls School Board Announces 3 Finalists for 2nd Round of Interviews for Superintendent
The Granite Falls School Board has announced three finalists for further consideration to be the next superintendent of the Granite Falls School District.
Dana Geaslen
Dana Geaslen is the current Assistant Superintendent of Education Services in the Edmonds School District. Prior experiences include being Director of Student Services, Teaching, Learning, and Assessment for the Camas School District, Director of Student Services and Elementary teacher for the Selah School District, Special Education Coordinator and High School teacher for the Enumclaw School District, and High School teacher with the Bend La Pine School District in Bend Oregon.
Mrs. Geaslen received her Bachelors in Health and Fitness and Special Education from Central Washington University, her Masters degree in Education Administration from the University of Phoenix, and her Superintendent Certification from Western Washington University.
Mrs. Geaslen will be interviewed on Monday, January 29, 2024.
Dr. Greg Schwab
Dr. Greg Schwab currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of K-12 Education and Facilities and Operations for the Edmonds School District. In addition, he oversees district Technology and Athletic Departments.
He firmly believes the role of educators is to ensure all students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for the opportunity to pursue their dreams and passions after high school.
Greg has held positions at several levels, which include high school language arts teacher, coach, district athletic director, high school assistant principal and high school principal. His experience and skills have led him to his current role as Assistant Superintendent.
Greg holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Oregon, a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Washington State University. His research focused on understanding students’ perceptions of safety in their high school and using their voices to guide initiatives to create safer learning environments.
Greg is married to Julie, who is a School Psychologist, and they have one son, Jakob, who is currently a senior at Portland State University and they also have a miniature labradoodle named Wally.
Dr. Schwab will be interviewed on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
Dr. Thomas Brillhart
Dr. Tom Brillhart is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Operations for New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation, a public school district of approximately 11,500 students located in Southern Indiana, contiguous to Louisville, KY. As a part of this role, he manages and oversees several departments including Technology, Buildings/Grounds, Transportation, School Nutrition, Safety, Strategic Planning, Open Records Requests, Legal Documents, Board Policy, Inclement Weather, Communication, etc.
Under his leadership, the Operations Departments’ Core Values are to have Effective Communication, Integrity, and Trust.
Dr. Brillhart believes and operates with a servant leadership style. He leads with a strong focus on providing the best foundational success for teachers to be successful in the classroom so student learning outcomes can be maximized. He is driven to create pathways of opportunities for students by utilizing local/state resources in efforts to break down barriers for all students to reach their highest potential.
Dr. Brillhart has 19 years of experience in a variety of areas including time serving as a teacher, assistant principal, Head Principal (K-12), Interim/Associate Superintendent, CFO, COO, Curriculum/Instruction/CCR (CTE) Coordinator, Support/Student Services Director, and Transportation/Maintenance Director across three different states in large urban, suburban and also smaller districts/communities. He is proud of the countless student/staff opportunities and improvements/advancements he has helped formulate with the team members he guides and directs. He is a true believer in leading with a "we" driven concept in order to foster positive collaboration and greater collective results.
Dr. Brillhart has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University in Social Studies Education, a master’s degree from Indiana State University in Educational Leadership, an Educational Specialist Degree from Oakland City University in Superintendency, as well as a Doctorate in Education also from Oakland City University.
Dr. Brillhart is married to Lori Brillhart, a science teacher. The couple has two daughters as well as a Golden Retriever named Bella. The Brillharts love traveling, outdoor activities, playing sports, fitness, reading, and simply spending time with one another.
Dr. Brillhart will be interviewed on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
The school board will begin background and reference checks for each of the finalists. Each prospective candidate has been invited for a “day in the district” on Monday, January 29, Tuesday, January 30, and Thursday, February 1. At that time, staff and members of the community will have the opportunity to meet the candidates. The staff and community “meet and greet” will be held from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Crossroads High School in the commons located at 205 North Alder Ave., Granite Falls, WA 98252.
The Granite Falls School Board of Directors is inviting all parents, civic and business leaders, alumni, and community members to meet the new superintendent candidate finalists. Everyone in attendance will have the opportunity to ask questions and review the qualifications of each candidate.
Comment cards will be provided with a link to the survey to share thoughts and impressions on each candidate with the school board.
Upon completion of the entire interview process, the board will make their final selection for the next superintendent of the Granite Falls School District on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
Superintendent Search - Community Meet/Greet
The district has launched a process to find a new superintendent and looks forward to engaging the community in the process. The selection of a superintendent is central to the direction of the school district in the future, as well as to continue the exemplary work being done to graduate students on time and prepare them to be contributors in a global society.
On Monday, January 29, Tuesday, January 30 and Thursday, February 1, the district will be holding “meet and greet” sessions for the finalists for superintendent at the Crossroads Commons. We are anticipating 3 finalists, but if there ends up being 2 or 4 this schedule will change.
Various groups will have the opportunity to meet all three of the candidates. It is not an interview, but a time to meet the candidates and ask a few questions as well as allow him or her to meet you.
______________________________________
We hope you can attend the time set aside for the Community outlined below:
Monday, January 29 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Candidate A
https://gfalls-wednet-edu.zoom.us/j/87398341929
Tuesday, January 30 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Candidate B
https://gfalls-wednet-edu.zoom.us/j/86756739722
Thursday, February 1 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Candidate C
https://gfalls-wednet-edu.zoom.us/j/89315598924
These meet and greet sessions will be at the Crossroads High School in the Commons and will be moderated.
The School Board would like to thank you for your time and feedback in helping select the next superintendent of The Granite Falls School District.
The job will post/open on October 18, 2023, and close on January 12, 2024. There will be a link available on the district website to access the application through Northwest Leadership Associates. The community will be invited to attend forums at the end of January to meet the finalists, review qualifications, and ask questions. Input from those meetings will be reviewed by the Board prior to the final selection.
If you have any questions, please contact Melanie Freeman at mfreeman@gfalls.wednet.edu or 360-691-7717.
Timeline of Superintendent Search:
DATE:
ACTION:
October 3, 2023
Focus group meetings in districts with stakeholders
October 11, 2023
Focus group report to the Board
October 18, 2023
Brochure completed and vacancy announcement emailed to 3500+ nationwide
December 13, 2023
Mid-search report/preparation for interview phase
January 12, 2024
Application deadline
January 22, 2024
Screening report to the board
January 27, 2024
Preliminary interviews
January 29, 30 & February 1, 2024
Final interviews
February 2, 2024
Formal announcement
February 7, 2024
Contract to be offered/approved
July 1, 2024
The selected superintendent assumes the position.
-
Challenges & Opportunities
- Be highly visible in the schools and community in support of strong, positive community engagement and relationships.
- Lead with a positive, open style, emphasizing clear communication, genuine listening and consistent follow-through with all stakeholders.
- Be a steward of all the district's and community's financial, human and capital resources.
- Develop and articulate a long-term academic achievement-focused vision for the district and the community.
- Maintain and enhance the student-focused programs and priorities established by the school board, staff and community.
- Continue the tradition of forward-thinking leadership and innovation with respect to the district's capital resources. Be a champion for engaging the community in response to growth and change.
Desired Skills & Qualifications
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to create and enhance relationships and inspire support from staff and all groups and members of the community.
- A strong academic focus with a thorough understanding of instructional design and teaching strategies to serve a growing, changing community.
- Strong financial background including experience with levy and bond elections.
- An experienced educational leader, preferably with demonstrated success as a classroom teacher and building-level administrator.
- The ability to engage the community to develop and support a clearly articulated, long-term vision for the district and foster a strong inclusive climate.
- A desire to be an active leader in the Granite Falls School District and community. The Superintendent should live in or within 30 miles of the district.
-
Common Threads
Granite Falls School District Superintendent Search - Focus Groups
October 3, 2023
(15 Meetings/78 participants)
Celebrations:
- Sense of community – pride in schools– traditions – support
- Geographically located in a good place – great place to live
- People want to be here – supportive culture
- New housing and growing enrollment
- School – community partnerships
- People care about the district – caring staff
- Growing diversity of students – economically, racially, culturally
- Geographic configuration of schools – center of community
- Good labor relations
- ALE program and student options
- Overall support for levies and bonds - fundraising
- High school – outside facilities/fields – well maintained
- Positive athletic programs and student activities
- Dedicated staff - devoted to kids and community
- Welcoming and family atmosphere
Challenges:
- Fiscal challenges – managing the budget
- Staff reductions in 2023-24
- Special Education – numbers, percentage, cost
- Growing community – increase in enrollment – capacity
- Resistance to new ideas/change
- Leadership changes – transition to new leader
- Academics – low scores – student achievement gap
- Economic diversity in district and community – poverty/equity
- Communication with parents, families and community
- CTE programs maintained and expanded
- Open contracts with bargaining units over next two years
- Support systems to address students and adult needs – mental health
- Getting community to believe in the district and value education
- Improving adult morale and culture in district – district image
Attributes:
- Visible, involved, interacts with schools, activities and in the community
- Understands Granite Falls – traditions, history, culture, community
- Able to form and nurture strong community and district relationships/partnerships – develops trust
- Able to make changes and hold people accountable – follow through
- Transparent/honest/approachable/trustworthy/inspiring/collaborator
- Successful experience in fiscal operations – understands budget
- Someone with new ideas – open minded – can make hard decisions
- Advocate for parents and families
- Addresses academic challenges
- Supportive of and involved with teachers, staff and students
- Communicator – listener – open minded – relationship focused
- Successful experience as educational/instructional leader – classroom/building/district level experience - knows teaching and learning
- Focuses on students and staff – behavior social/emotional support
- Residency in or near Granite Falls strongly desired/important - longevity
- Listens to student voices – advocate – does best for kids