By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Havre School Board held a Special Meeting on Tuesday evening and unanimously voted offer a three-year contract to Craig Mueller for the Superintendent position.
Mueller, who has been the Interim Superintendent since last summer after Andy Carlson’s resignation, accepted the Board’s offer in principle following the vote.
This past January, he stated his intent to not seek the position on a more permanent basis. Mueller told the Board on Tuesday he was grateful that they allowed him to pursue the position after having a change of heart.
“Even considering my wanting to be involved in this process again means a great deal to me,” Mueller said. “It wasn’t a decision that the first time around, when I made the statement that I was not interested in the position, that I jumped to. I thought about it for a long time. I don’t think coming to Havre, I ever thought that that would be a possibility to be the Superintendent in a District that I have a great deal of respect for. So again, I think that you know that. But I hope you know that I’m genuine when I say that I appreciate the opportunity.”
The language of the contract, which will feature an annual salary of between $120,000-$125,000 will be finalized in upcoming discussions between the Board and the Montana School Boards Association.
That meeting will take place this Friday at noon.
The other finalist for the position was Brett Zanto, Principal at Helena Capital High School. The Board agreed that he was a qualified candidate, but said his experience and knowledge of the District was not quite at the level as Mueller’s.
“In this case, clearly Mr. Mueller has the experience in the position and happens to be in our position in Havre Public Schools, (and previously) as Assistant Superintendent and a High School Principal. It’s clear in my mind that obviously he’s doing the job, and I think as we articulated earlier with his reviews, continues to do a good job in an unusual, difficult sitation. So I’m certainly comfortable with Mr. Mueller’s application and presenting this opportunity to him,” Trustee Curtis Smeby said at the meeting. “At the same time, Mr. Zanto is quite impressive and has some great experiences. But at the same time, has great potential in the future. Probably just not right now and not for Havre.”
“Mr. Zanto had a lot of good responses to the questions (we asked), but I think some of them lacked a little bit of the depth that Mr. Mueller had,” Trustee Tim Scheele added. “Just with that experience under his belt of what the Superintendent’s position entails. I think Mr. Zanto will get there, I just think he lacked some of that depth in a few of his responses that Mr. Mueller had and was able to expand on a little bit.”
The only member of the public to provide comment at the meeting was Holly Bitz, who said in a virtual chat message that Mueller provided more articulation and vision during his interview.
Neither candidate had any red flags come up during reference checks.
Kessler Steps Down
Also at the meeting, the Board accepted Activities Director Brian Kessler’s resignation. Kessler has taken a job as Principal at East Helena High School.
