Pegge Erkeneff (left) virtually interviews Dr. Janelle Vanasse (right) on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (screenshot)

Pegge Erkeneff (left) virtually interviews Dr. Janelle Vanasse (right) on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (screenshot)

Superintendent finalists share experience, visions

Ahead of interviews, the three candidates participated in QAs with the district’s communications director

Three finalists vying for the title of superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District participated in a virtual Q&A with District Communications Director Pegge Erkeneff on Monday to talk about their interest in the role, which they would be asked to assume in a couple of months.

Dr. Jason Johnson, Clayton Holland and Janelle Vanasse have been identified as finalists for the position by the KPBSD Board of Education.

Johnson, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Education from Trevecca Nazarene University and currently serves as the superintendent of the Dillingham School District, said that good leadership is all about making the district a community where staff and students feel like they belong.

Holland holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Alaska Anchorage and has worked at KPBSD for more than 20 years, during which time he said he thinks the community has learned they can trust him. Holland currently serves as the district’s assistant superintendent.

Vanasse holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Alaska Anchorage, is expected to graduate in May with a Doctorate of Education from Gonzaga University and currently serves as the superintendent of Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka.

Erkeneff emphasized the diversity of the school district, which serves 42 schools in 17 communities, including Native and Russian villages, some that can only be accessed via boat or plane and K-12 schoolhouses.

“I think that’s actually a beautiful thing and a strength of the district …” said Johnson. “When I look just at the key opportunities in education as a whole, I think there’s a phenomenal opportunity to bring creativity back into the classroom and further personalize that learning experience for our kids.”

Holland said that ensuring that the district is culturally responsive to the needs of different communities can be done by adding cultural relevance into their strategic plan.

“I’m acutely aware of what our district has in diversity,” Holland said, adding that he has been to all 42 KPBSD schools. “We also have some neat programs that we do that I want people to know about.”

Vanasse said that being socially and culturally responsive is something that the district needs to work on every day and that the district should value the learning students do outside of school.

“The education our students bring into our schools — that education from their family, their culture, their experiences, their belief systems — that’s really valuable,” Vanasse said. “As we partner with families and communities to provide our school-based education, it’s important that we recognize and value this other education our students come in the door with.”

Erkeneff also asked the candidates why they think they are the best candidate for the superintendent position.

Johnson said that he would be a leader who is invested in the community, who is energetic and who is compassionate as evidenced by the current strategic plan he has helped implement in the Dillingham School District, which emphasizes social and emotional learning.

“What we learned quickly is if we talked about it, it didn’t really happen,” Johnson said. “When we put it on paper and we started accountability, things took off like a rocket and that’s what I’m really excited about.”

Holland said that he is team-oriented and that he was able to assume a strong leadership position when the district’s current superintendent, John O’Brien, was out due to health reasons. Holland said he thought that the transition from O’Brien to him went well and that one of his biggest tasks was creating a plan to get students back in school amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have a great community; we have wonderful staff,” Holland said. “I think they need somebody new in charge and it’s nothing against anybody else … but I do have a different way of leading.”

Vanasse said that she thinks her experience and her vision is a good fit for KPBSD.

“I believe I can come in and build the culture of shared learning and leadership for continued improvement, a culture in which we can work together to identify opportunities to serve students better, to value our diversity, to capitalize on that uniqueness and be honest with ourselves when there’s work to be done,” Vanasse said.

Members of the community were encouraged to provide their feedback on the three candidates following the Q&As via surveys on the school district’s website, which closes Tuesday at 8 a.m.

The KPBSD Board of Education will interview the three candidates individually beginning Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. during a special meeting.

Videos of Monday’s Q&A sessions can be viewed on the school district’s website.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Clayton Holland holds a masters degree from the University of Southern Indiana. Holland received a masters degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Pegge Erkeneff (left) virtually interviews Dr. Jason Johnson (right) on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (screenshot)

Pegge Erkeneff (left) virtually interviews Dr. Jason Johnson (right) on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (screenshot)

Pegge Erkeneff (left) virtually interviews Dr. Clayton Holland (right) on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (screenshot)

Pegge Erkeneff (left) virtually interviews Dr. Clayton Holland (right) on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (screenshot)

More in News

Commercial fishers speak to the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission during a public hearing on a proposed regulation change to add dipnets to the east side setnet fishery at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
CFEC hears from setnetters on dipnet proposal at Kenai hearing

The CFEC gave emergency approval to the gear in May but decided in June not to approve dipnets as permanent gear

Signs and supporters line the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Local races unchanged after 1st major update of election results

The additional votes represent early ballots that were cast ahead of Election Day but after an Oct. 31 deadline

tease
Man arrested for 3 shooting incidents at reproductive clinic, recovery org

Homer’s Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic was targeted twice Monday

Students sing “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” at Mountain View Elementary in Kenai, Alaska, during a celebration of Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View Elementary recognizes Veterans Day

During a celebration of Veterans Day at Mountain View Elementary School on… Continue reading

The Kenai Municipal Airport is seen on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai misses out on grant for proposed Seattle air service

City officials look to reapply next year

The Kenai Peninsula College main entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Chiappone and Dunstan to speak at the KPC Showcase

Kenai Peninsula College continues its showcase with two new speakers this week and next

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, talks about issues of concern regarding the proposed merger of supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons during a floor speech in the House chamber on Wednesday. (Screenshot from official U.S. House of Representatives video feed)
Begich leads in early results, but Alaska’s U.S. House race won’t be immediately decided

About 245,000 ballots had been counted by 11:32 p.m., and Peltola trailed by about 5 percentage points

The Alaska governor’s mansion on Wednesday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is considered a contender for a post in Donald Trump’s second presidential administration. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Election summary: Trump wins, GOP takes over U.S. Senate, Alaska may get new governor

Begich and repeal of ranked choice voting narrowly lead; GOP may lose control of state House.

Most Read