The Anchorage School Board on Friday announced the two finalists for the job of superintendent: Steve Atwater and Deena Paramo.
Atwater works as the interim dean at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Education. Before that, he was the associate vice president of K-12 Outreach for the University of Alaska. He also served as the superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the Lake and Peninsula School District.
Paramo has worked as the superintendent at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District since 2011. She was appointed to the UA Board of Regents in 2015. Before becoming the Mat-Su superintendent, she worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent.
Atwater or Paramo will replace current Anchorage School District Superintendent Ed Graff. The board announced in October it would not renew Graff's contract. Graff will work as the superintendent through June.
In a press conference Friday, Anchorage School Board President Kameron Perez-Verdia said Atwater and Paramo were selected from a pool of 84 applicants.
The board hired an executive search firm, Ray and Associates, at a cost of nearly $40,000 to help find ASD's next chief, he said,
"It's remarkable that we conducted an extensive, national search, and got some of the top candidates from across the country, and in the end the two top finalists are right here, from Alaska," Perez-Verdia said.
Atwater and Paramo did not respond to requests for comment Friday.
Perez-Verdia said Atwater was chosen for his experience in K-12 education and his "innovative thinking." While Paramo has "strong communication skills, the ability to really bring people together and also a lot of experience with systems and organizational change," Perez-Verdia said.
The board has scheduled a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bartlett High School so Anchorage residents can meet the candidates and provide feedback, Perez-Verdia said.
The board plans to announce its pick for superintendent at its May 2 meeting, he said.
Susan Pougher, president of the Mat-Su Borough School Board, said Friday the board was aware Paramo had applied for the Anchorage job. She said the board directed its staff to prepare succession plans.
"We're going to wait until Anchorage School Board has made their final decision, and then if Dr. Paramo is selected, we'll be ready to move forward," she said.