The Coon Rapids-Bayard and Glidden-Ralston Community School Districts announced the finalist for the shared superintendent position yesterday (Wednesday). The two candidates were selected out of four semifinalists after the Tuesday screening interviews held by both school boards. One of the finalists is Michael Gossen, currently serving as the elementary principal for Mount Pleasant CSD. As principal, Gossen led the 68 district staff members in professional development initiatives and oversaw two school buildings with 350 students. Gossen is seeking his doctorate in philosophy with a superintendent license from Drake University, obtaining the degree this spring. The other finalist is Thomas Ridder, who currently serves as the superintendent of Logan-Magnolia CSD. Ridder has managed the district for the past ten years, marking his accomplishments as overseeing the passing of a $12.4 million bond issued in March 2022. Ridder has also exemplified recruiting, hiring, supervising, evaluating, and training personnel in the Logan-Magnolia district and organized one-to-one technology for every student at the school. The two finalists will be invited to the Coon Rapids-Bayard and Glidden-Ralston school buildings to conduct final, in-person interviews on Feb. 27 with the school boards and hiring committee made up of teachers, staff, students, and community members. After the interviews, a decision will be made shortly when both boards can come together, and the name of the selected individual will be released then. Once accepted, the next superintendent will begin leading the districts on July 1.
