The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education selected former Algona Superintendent, Marty Fonley, to serve as interim superintendent at a special meeting Friday afternoon. They made the decision following informal meetings Thursday between central office staff, the administrative team and Fonley. The board voted 4-0 to approve Fonley for the position. Heartland AEA Chief Administrator, Dr. John Sheldahl, and Director of Business Affairs, Gary Bengtson, provided a draft of the proposed contract. Sheldahl says it is essentially a regular superintendent contract with a few minor alterations.
The board did not vote on the contract during the meeting but anticipates doing so in the near future. Fonley will be spending two to three days in the district each week and will focus on issues prioritized by the school board. He expects a large portion of his time will be spent on closing out the year and preparing for the next.
Fonley begins his work in the district immediately and brings a large amount of experience with him. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa, a master’s in PK-12 Administration from Minnesota State University and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Policy and Education Leadership from Iowa State University. Prior to coming to Carroll, Fonley served for more than 10 years as superintendent in Algona, with experience as a classroom teacher, coach and curriculum director. He expressed interest in pursuing the open Carroll position, but says that is not his priority right now.
Fonley’s contract as interim superintendent will expire at the end of the fiscal year on June 30. The board is continuing their search to replace Dr. Kevin Lein, Carroll’s former superintendent who resigned in early February. The application period closes on Sunday, March 17, and formal interviews with the finalists are planned for Monday, April 15.
