Bill Burr
The Wrangell School Board has unanimously selected Bill Burr as schools superintendent. He will start in July, replacing Debbe Lancaster, who has been in the job since 2018. Lancaster resigned last year, effective in July.
Burr is coming to Wrangell from the Delta/Greely School District, where he has worked as assistant superintendent since 2014. He has also served as director of technology and as fill-in principal at the district in Alaska's Interior, according to the Wrangell School District.
The Delta/Greely district straddles the Alaska and Richardson highways southeast of Fairbanks, and encompasses Fort Greely, Delta Junction and smaller towns. The district has over 800 students, more than twice the enrollment of Wrangell schools.
Burr has also worked as director of instructional technology, testing and curriculum in the Aleutians East Borough School District, and as a teacher in the Lower Yukon School District.
Wrangell School Board Member Laura Ballou said she is excited for the future with Burr as superintendent. All of the candidates were impressive, she said, but Burr's experience and communication skills made him stand out. She also said his experience with technology is another skill he will bring to the district and its students.
It was not an easy decision to pick from among the three finalists, but Ballou said she was happy with how the school board worked together to make a unanimous decision.
"Honestly, I was super impressed with the quality of the candidates we had to choose from," Ballou said. "It was a really, really tough decision."
School Board President Aaron Angerman also commented on Burr's background in technology, and his experience with Alaska school districts. Angerman said Burr's skillset and personality will be beneficial to Wrangell.
"I am also extremely proud of my fellow board members. They really put in the hours, leaving no stone unturned in researching and considering the pros and cons of all applicants," Angerman said.
Burr will begin as superintendent July 1. He and the school board have agreed to a three-year contract and a starting salary of $112,000 a year. Upon obtaining his superintendent credentials, his salary will increase to $116,000, the district said.
"I am incredibly excited to work with the community of Wrangell and grateful for the trust that the school board and community have placed in me," Burr is quoted in the district's press release. "I look forward to working together in partnership with our educational community."
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