Meet the District 833 Superintendent Candidates

District 833 on Tuesday announced the slate of candidates for its new superintendent.

There are eight people vying for the top administrative job in South Washington County Schools as the district looks to replace . Check out .

According to a release from District 833, the candidates are:

Dennis Dearden is currently superintendent for the Casa Grande Union High School District in Casa Grande, Ariz.

He was also a superintendent for the Marana Unified School District in Marana, Ariz., and assistant superintendent for Fairfax County Public Schools in Falls Church, Virgina.

Dearden has been the executive vice president for Educational Advancement, Partnership for Excellence in Cary, North Carolina. Dearden’s previous background also includes serving as a middle and high school principal and activities director. He has his MA degree from Drake University, and a BA degree from Simpson College, both in Iowa.

Currently instructional superintendent for District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, D.C., Dr. Lolli Haws also has experience as an elementary principal in Virginia and Missouri.

Her career started as a teacher in Intermediate District 287, in Minnesota. She holds a Ph.D. from St. Louis University, a master’s in education from Southern Illinois University, and BA from Augustana College in South Dakota.

Dr. Deborah Henton, currently superintendent for North Branch Public Schools, also worked as chief of staff for St. Paul Public Schools.

While in St. Paul, she served as the executive director of Alternative Learning, and as a principal and assistant principal. She served the Stillwater Area Schools as an Assistant Principal, and as also served as an assistant principal for Oltman Junior High in District 833. She has an EdD and MA from St. Mary’s University, and a BS from University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Dr. Gerald Hill has been the superintendent of the Glenview (Ill.) School District since 2004. 

He has also been superintendent for the Community Consolidated School District 146 in Illinois, and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for the Rockwood (Mo.) School District. Other experience includes serving as executive director of Elementary Instruction for the Garland Independent School District in Garland, Texas. 

Hill holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas, a MA and BS from the University of Minnesota.

Current Deputy Superintendent for the Conroe Independent School District in Conroe, Texas, Dr. Christopher Hines’ administrative experience ranging from associate and assistant superintendent to high school principal to assistant principal for curriculum and instruction for a total of 18 years in Texas Schools.

Hines holds an EdD from Sam Houston State University, MA from the University of Houston, and BA from Southwest Texas State University.

Dr. Keith Jacobus is currently serving as assistant superintendent of Leadership, Teaching and Learning for the Osseo Area School District.

He has also been director of schools for the Douglas County School District in Castle Rock, Colorado. Other administrative experiences include being the executive director of Learning Services, and executive director of Personnel Services, and principal for the Lewis-Palmer High School, all with the Lewis-Palmer School District in Monument, Colorado.

Jacobus’ degrees include a PhD from the University of Denver, Masters in Education from Lesley College and BS from Colorado State University.

Currently Deputy Superintendent for the Clover Park School District in Lakewood, Washington, Keith Rittel, also has experience as a High School Principal in both Everett and Anacortes, Washington, and as an assistant principal for a high school in the Salt Lake City School District, Utah.

Rittel is currently working on his EdD through Seattle Pacific University, MEd from the University of Utah and BA from the University of Victoria.

Dr. Deirdre Wells, currently the Inver Grove Heights Community Schools Superintendent, also has experience as a superintendent and assistant superintendent with Medford Area Public Schools in Wisconsin. Her degrees include an ED from Cardinal Stritch University, two master’s from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and Eau Claire and BS from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

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