Mineral County School District has named a new superintendent after meeting with candidates.
The decision was made on Friday, June 29 when Karen Watson was chosen to be the next superintendent of Mineral County School District.
This news comes after the announcement (earlier this year) that the former Mineral County School District Superintendent Walt Hackford tendered his resignation. He told the trustees that he was planning to enjoy retirement.
The Mineral County School Board heard public comment from Jean Peterson who explained the history of the school since the retirement of Arlo Funk and Granville Gage and the turnover of many superintendents that have been through the district.
“We need stability,” she told the board.
“Karen is what this district needs… I believe she is in it for the long haul,” Commissioner Garth Price explained about Watson and her affiliation with Mineral County.
Watson is a Mineral County High School graduate and her family still resides in Hawthorne.
Ann Kee, secretary for Hawthorne Elementary School, explained her interaction with Watson and the touring of the schools. “She [Watson] took time to introduce herself to everyone on that tour, including the two gentlemen who were installing an air conditioner in Mrs. Schumann’s room who are not even employees of the district,” Kee told the trustees.
Board of Trustees President Tyler Viani asked the other trustees for their opinions, thoughts on candidates which stood out, what is best for the district and “what is going to make or break us.”
“Mineral County kids do not deserve to have another terrible time,” Trustee Keith Neville said. “We need to help our kids be as good as they can be and our schools be as good as they can be.”
Neville made a motion to hire Watson as the next Mineral County superintendent. Three other trustees tried to second the motion.
“Everything that everyone said was very touching to me. Kind of hard to hear,” Watson told the trustees and the audience. “This is the place I always wanted to come back to because I had a fabulous education here.”
Watson’s first day with the district will be July 9.
“Its home,” she concluded.
