TCU board chooses Preisler as superintendent

After rounds of interviews with the Tri-City United School Board, a Community Committee, and the public, the TCU Board of Education on Tuesday, April 30, chose to enter into contract negotiations with Superintendent Candidate Teri Preisler, currently Associate Director of Technology in Owatonna Schools. The board approved Preisler to take over on July 1 for Matt Helgerson who will leave for the Jordan School District.  

The decision came on Tuesday night at a board meeting after reviewing comments from the committee and public. The board ranked the strengths and concerns they had for the two candidates, Preisler and Dr. Virginia Dahlstrom, to decide who best fit the needs of the district. They identified strengths for Dahlstrom as Collaboration Skills, Visibility in School and Community Partnerships, and Experience Serving Multiple Communities. Concerns for this candidate included Technology Leadership and Long Term Commitment to the District. 

Strengths for Preisler were identified as being Communication Skills, Thinking and Planning Strategically, and Technology Leadership. Top concerns were Experience as a Superintendent, and Visibility in Schools and Community. After an initial vote, the board was split 6-3 in favor of Preisler.

During the discussion that followed, Board Chair Liz Krocak reminded the board of the strategic plan goals, and asked members to think about who could best move them forward. This, and discussion of the rankings were the deciding factors as the board then came back with a unanimous vote in favor of Preisler. 

To read more about it, see this week's issue of the Montgomery Messenger.