Corrine Johnson was selected to be the one-year interim superintendent of the Austin Public School District by a narrow, 4-3 vote on Tuesday afternoon.

Thursday, July 05, 2001

Corrine Johnson was selected to be the one-year interim superintendent of the Austin Public School District by a narrow, 4-3 vote on Tuesday afternoon.

Board members Bruce Loveland, Kathy Green, and Larry Andersen, three of the four most recent school board members, joined Richard Lees to vote in favor of Johnson. Board members Bev Nordby, Amy Baskin and Dave Simonson voted for Candace Raskin, who is currently principal at Banfield Elementary School.

"I’m thrilled to be part of the Austin School District," said Johnson, who currently directs the 800-student Onamia School District.

Johnson said she looks forward to working with a district office, including Finance Director, Special Services Director and Human Resource Director, which she does not have in Onamia.

"It will really be nice to have someone to converse with," she said.

On the other hand, Johnson does not look forward to possible budget reductions, which have happened in Austin in recent years.

"It’s always difficult dealing with budget reductions because your involving people’s livelihoods, positions, taken away or reducing other comforts in the job," she said.

The tight vote was conducted by a show of hands, after early indications that it might be conducted by secret ballot.

"We checked with some legal sources, but they said, no, you can’t do that," said Simonson.

Board members and district employees concur that both candidates were well qualified.

"We had two quality candidates. The process worked, and I support Corrine Johnson 100 percent," said Nordby.

"I’m happy how the vote was. It was a difficult decision. I’m sure Corrine will do an excellent job," said Loveland.

"There were two well-qualified candidates. We’re unanimous in our support," said Andersen.

Raskin also voiced her faith in Johnson’s abilities, and was eager to continue her work at Banfield.

"I’m sure Mrs. Johnson will do an excellent job and we just need to move forward and be there for kids," she said.

After the meeting, Simonson said that the district’s health insurance could increase by as much as $900,000, a cost which, coupled with on-going teacher negotiations, might offset any additional funding from the recent state budget deal.

"It costs money to get well," said Simonson.

Jensen and Johnson hope to have the contract finalized by 9 a.m., Thursday, but Johnson must remain in Onamia, where she currently works as Superintendent, to announce her resignation to the school board on Monday.

Meanwhile, Johnson expects to start looking for housing in Austin on Friday.

Although the board has decided to make the position temporary, Johnson has informed them that she wants a more permanent job.

Call Sam Garchik at 434-2233 or e-mail him at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.