TRSD hires new chief
From our weekly issue dated April 23, 2008
Dan Huber-Kantola, the new Three Rivers School District (TRSD) superintendent
Dan Huber-Kantola, a former principal at Illinois Valley High School, is the choice for Three Rivers School District (TRSD) superintendent.
During its regularly scheduled meeting at Manzanita Elementary School in Grants Pass on Monday night, April 21, the TRSD Board of Directors formally approved an employment contract with him as new superintendent.
The board’s work of finding a new schools chief began in December 2007, when the vacancy officially was first announced.
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Huber-Kantola was selected from a field of 12 applicants. They included four from out-of-state and eight from within Oregon, including another from within the district. Huber-Kantola will take over the position as TRSD chief executive officer on July 1. He will replace Dr. Jerry Fritts, the current superintendent, who will retire on June 30.
According to the terms of the employment contract, the new superintendent will have a two-year agreement with a first-year salary of $115,000.
Huber-Kantola is a 1983 graduate of TRSD’s North Valley High School. He graduated from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz. with a bachelor’s degree in English and P.E. in 1988; earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Portland; and later received his administrative certification from University of Oregon at Eugene.
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He began his career teaching high school English with Air Academy School District in Colorado Springs, Colo. from ‘89 to ‘92.
He was hired by TRSD in August 1992 teaching language arts at Illinois Valley High School and continued until 1995. He then became the assistant principal at IVHS. In 1997, he served as IVHS principal until the end of the school year, and then transferred to Fruitdale Elementary as principal.
In 1999, he was chosen as principal at North Valley High School. He was there until he moved to the district office as director of Special Education in July 2005 and most recently became the director of Fiscal & Support Services on Feb. 11, 2008.
Huber-Kantola and his wife, Dena, have three children: Kady, Asa and Ari. He has been actively involved in the community, coaching youth sports and serving in a youth ministry. His father, Gene, taught for TRSD, and his mother, Peggy, is a real estate agent in Grants Pass.
Said TRSD Director Robert Litak, of Illinois Valley, “I firmly believe that Dan has demonstrated the capacity, integrity, experience and commitment to lead the Three Rivers School District in enhancing our students’ educational opportunities.”
Noted Director Leslie Meier, “Dan has a breadth of experience, thoroughly understands the needs of our district, and brings a positive leadership style to the position. I am excited about working with him in his new role.”
Huber-Kantola stated, “Three Rivers School District has been providing excellent education to students for decades. By combining professional, dedicated, and caring teachers, administrators, and staff members with a supportive, involved community our students receive a solid educational foundation.
“Being named the superintendent of Three Rivers School District is truly an honor. I have served in the district for the last 16 years; graduated from North Valley High School in 1983 and have been involved in the district since 1971 when my father started as a shop teacher at Fleming Junior High.
“I have seen students and graduates from this district accomplish amazing things, and I believe the best is yet to come.
“My vision for Three Rivers School District is that we continue to provide safe learning environments filled with rigor, relevance, positive relationships, and opportunities for our students. At the same time, we will not rest on accomplishments; we will be moving forward.
“We will look to provide more opportunities for students by being innovative and involving our community. I feel enthusiastic and honored to be able to serve as the leader of Three Rivers School District,” said Huber-Kantola.
