4 finalists named for Utah chief of schools
2 candidates hail from the East; 2 are local
Four finalists, two of them local and two from the East, bring a wealth of experience and talent as they vie to be Utah's next state school superintendent.
The state education office released the names of the top candidates Monday. They are: Bryan Bowles, superintendent of Davis School District; Nicholas Fischer, former superintendent of Fall River (Mass.) Public Schools; Richard LaPointe, director of International Education, Higher Education, at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C.; and Larry Shumway, deputy superintendent of the Utah State Office of Education.
The Utah State Board of Education will interview the candidates May 29. The top choice could be announced as early as the end of that day or when the board holds its regular meeting June 5.
The new superintendent will replace Patti Harrington, who announced her resignation in March, effective June 30.
Here's a brief look at the candidates:
Bryan Bowles
Bowles, of Bountiful, who is also a member of the Weber State University board of trustees, has led Davis School District since 2002.
Bowles, 56, said he wants to be state superintendent because he can positively affect the learning of more children in that position and contribute to "the future and economic well-being of the state I love."
He has been principal of Bountiful High School, an assistant principal at Millcreek Junior High School in Bountiful and a teacher at Bountiful High. He also has worked as a district administrator dealing with curriculum.
Bowles spent seven years as vice president of the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii. He sees the main challenge and opportunity in Utah's schools as successfully meeting the needs of the "growing and more diverse population of children."
Bowles has a doctorate in education from the University of Utah and teaches educational leadership there as an adjunct faculty member.
He was Utah's Superintendent of the Year in 2007. He was named Principal of the Year by the Utah Association of Student Councils in 2001.
Nicholas Fischer
Fischer, 63, of Fall River, Mass., has led Fall River Public Schools since 2005. He earned a doctorate in education from Harvard University.
Previously, he has served as assistant superintendent for Fairfax County (Va.) Schools; superintendent of Christina School District in Newark, Del.; and associate commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Education.
He also has been on the Fall River Chamber of Commerce's board of directors.
Recent comments
Great idea, I love your comments! I hope that the state board...
Kathleen | May 19, 2009 at 5:37 p.m.
I love the idea of eliminating the position. Decisions should be at...
Great idea | May 19, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
Rather than replacing Patti Harrington, why not just eliminate the...
itsjustme | May 19, 2009 at 12:34 p.m.
- Illustrator is living his dream 1:30 p.m.
- Woods cancels meeting with police 1:20 p.m.
- Swiss ban mosque minarets 1:05 p.m.
- These guys love a good argument 12:56 p.m.
- Vonn skis out in slalom 12:40 p.m.
- Boyle's album tops Britain's charts 12:35 p.m.
- Preventing small plane crashes 12:13 p.m.
- Giving heart to women who exercise 11:55 a.m.
- 4 police officers shot dead in Wash. 11:50 a.m.
- Leno losing his audience to DVR 11:43 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
523 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
456 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
116 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - BYU is champion of the state
108 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
89 - Hall's legacy measured today
77 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
I was hoping BYU would win by 3 TDs but ya know, I'm starting to like these...
Headline: "Utah adopts Saskatchewan Health Plan"! Next page headline: "Pigs...
Shame on Max. I am sure he will live to regret what he said. How ever, If BYU...
What's the news? The guy is a 20+ years old with a microscope on him. He...
I too applaude the efforts being made to help cyclists and motorists more...
It's about time a Cougar fought back. As another wrote, "You can only kick a...
I dare you to define the word 'classless'. But wait, I guess you already did...
John 13:34-35 34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have...
Right on, Max! I have heard Ute fans (especially), players and former...
Take your response and turn it the other way. You say you have family and...



