School Board OKs hires

FAYETTEVILLE — A mix of familiar faces and some new faces will be part of the School District’s administrative team for the 2017-18 school year.

The School Board on Thursday unanimously approved six recommendations for district-level positions.

Mark Oesterle and Michelle Hayward previously were announced as Superintendent Matthew Wendt’s recommendations for two executive director positions to work under Associate Superintendent Stephen Weber in the district’s division of teaching and learning. The division next school year will be housed in the former Happy Hollow Elementary School.

Oesterle, who this year is director of professional development, federal programs and English-as-a-second-language, will be executive director of secondary education. Secondary education encompasses Ramay and Woodland junior high schools, Fayetteville High School, Fayetteville Virtual Academy, the Agee Lierly Life Preparation Services Campus, adult education and concurrent credit.

Oesterle looks forward to getting to know the staffs of each of the schools. He’s interested in continuing to

grow the district’s options for concurrent credit courses, courses earning students credit toward high school and college diplomas, and for career and technical education.

“We recognize one path and one pathway to graduation does not fit everyone,” Oesterle said. “No matter what path, Fayetteville is going to be able to provide it and provide it at a quality level.”

Hayward, McNair Middle School principal, will be executive director of elementary and middle level education. Her new role will put her working alongside the district’s elementary and middle school principals, she said.

“I get to be part of the big picture,” she said.

A system will be put in place to help all schools improve while maintaining the personality and culture that has developed at each campus, she said.

Both Oesterle and Hayward will focus on supporting, supervising and evaluating principals; providing leadership for the district’s program directors and will be involved in curriculum design, review and implementation.

Kristen Scott, Root Elementary School, will succeed Oesterle as the new director of federal programs.

Chris Lawson will join the district as its first general counsel, Wendt announced. Lawson is a partner with Friday, Eldredge and Clark, and has been the attorney for the School Board.

Wendt also announced Eric Hatch as director of information services and technology