A contract has been approved for a 2008-09 interim superintendent at Austin Public Schools, retired administrator and adjunct professor Bruce Anderson.

The Austin School Board gave their stamp of approval for the 210-day contract at a salary of $118,787, plus $2,150 in per diem each month.

Anderson, who officially begins July 1, has many years of superintendent experience in Minnesota and Texas, as well as an interim position in Little Falls.

The Richfield resident also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas, where he instructs those seeking school administrator licensure.

In an acceptance letter to the school board, Anderson said the time spent in the interview process has been “encouraging.”

“I heard a singular heart from you as a school board desiring to work together in new ways for the young people of Austin,” he said. “I commit that I will serve the students, staff, community and you the school board with integrity and with all my energy and experience.”

Anderson replaces Candace Raskin, whose last day with the district is Monday.

Raskin, who served in various administrative capacities in Austin Public Schools, took a professorship with Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she will have similar duties to Anderson’s at St. Thomas.

Thursday was also Raskin’s last school board meeting in Austin, and board member Dave Simonson praised her work in the district.

“I wanted to thank Candace Raskin for all her years of service,” Simonson said after she became overcome with emotion and left the room.

“I’m going to miss Dr. Raskin very much,” he said. “Everything she’s done she’s done with every bit of her ability.”

Simonson said he believes Anderson is a good choice for their interim superintendent, and hopes he will provide stability for their programs until a permanent administrator is hired.

“Our job is to hire the best superintendent we can,” Simonson said. “Dr. Anderson is very impressive.”

Chairman Don Fox said following the meeting that one asset Anderson possesses is his experience with “two other places with similar issues,” referring to the rift between the school board members.

Fox concurred with Simonson about the district’s focus on stability.

“I look for him to be a person that keeps all the initiatives in order,” he said.

The next steps in the superintendent search for the district include establishing Internet feedback for community and staff and developing a “New Superintendent Profile” in September; advertising the position and recruiting candidates from July 1 through Jan. 2; presenting five to six candidates to the board Jan. 5; conducting first interviews Jan. 7-8; narrowing choices to three Jan. 8 and conducting more interviews before narrowing their choice to one Jan. 14 and negotiating a contract Jan. 16.

The new permanent superintendent is scheduled to begin July 1, 2009.