Former Cook County Schools – ISD166 Sawtooth Elementary Principal Gwen Carman has accepted the position of superintendent for Carlton Independent School District 93.
Carman was at her new desk on Tuesday, January 19, the same day her new contract was finalized by the school board.
“I received a six-month interim contract to finish the school year and then it becomes a three-year contract after that,” Carman said.
On August 20, 2015, Carman came before the Cook County School Board and tearfully announced she was resigning her position with the school district. Carman was a teacher for 15 years, then served nine years as a principal for the district. Her decision to leave was met with sadness by many of the staff, teachers, students and community members.
“I am very proud of what I accomplished in Cook County,” said Carman. “I do miss the teachers, staff, students and parents there. They will always have a special place in my heart.”
Carlton’s school board ran a lengthy process that involved sorting through 16 applicants before narrowing that list to five. Each of those five candidates was e-mailed questions and each candidate responded with about 15 pages of answers for the board to evaluate. From there two finalists were selected, and several more interviews were conducted before Carman was picked.
“Carlton’s school district is very similar to Cook County’s in demographics, enrollment, budget, and staff. I feel I will be able to use my years of experience to help make good decisions for the district,” Carman said.
“One of the strengths of Carlton’s school district is that it is in a good position financially. I have really appreciated the welcome I have received from the school board, teachers, parents and students I have met.”
After leaving employment with ISD166 Carman became the Region 3 Early Childhood Professional Development Facilitator with the Minnesota Regional Centers for Excellence for Young Children with Disabilities, Northland Special Education Cooperative, in Virginia, Minnesota.
She is also pursuing an education specialist degree in education administration and director of special education certificate.
Carman will replace Carlton’s current superintendent Peter Haapala, who retired last year but stayed on in a part-time position until the school board could find his replacement.
For now Gwen and her husband Bruce will keep their Lutsen residence. Their youngest daughter, Sara, is a senior at Cook County High School and will graduate with her classmates.
“As of now I am renting an apartment in Carlton,” Carman said. “After Sara graduates my husband and I will evaluate our situation and make a decision on where we will live.”
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