The Paton-Churdan and Glidden Ralston school districts have selected Okoboji Elementary Principal Rob Olsen as its new shared superintendent.

The search was initiated in December by both school boards.  Tryon and Associates in Des Moines led the search and chose Olsen for the position in February.  Both school districts’ superintendents are pleased with the search firm’s decision.

Paton-Churdan Superintendent Leonard Griffith has severed as a part-time superintendent for the school district and says they’ve never had a full time superintendent.  It has always been a shared position as a district administrator or a principal position attached to it.  He explains the benefits of having a shared superintendent.

“It’ll be very easy for one person to do both districts.  Many duties are repeated and this way they can do it and do it for both districts at once.  It’ll also create a lot of opportunities for different sharing and it will keep everyone updated.”

Glidden-Ralston School District has never had a shared superintendent.  Current superintendent Dr. David Haggard has been the interim superintendent for two years and says having a shared superintendent will take some getting use to but it’ll create new opportunities.  He comments that Glidden-Ralston has had a great competitive relationship with Paton-Churdan and having both districts share a superintendent will establish a working relationship.

Both superintendents agree that Olsen is a great choice.  Olsen will begin his new position effective July 1st.