Superintendent Search

Troy White Hired as New C-FC Superintendent

Parents, Students, Staff, Families, and Community Members,

This past year has brought many smiles and tears. The excitement of starting the year with a record attendance during the open house also brought the suffering and the loss of a father. Our school and community provided comfort and continue to support the family. Throughout the year we’ve enjoyed our co-curriculars as a community, celebrating team and individual successes, accomplishments, and awards. We continue to endure the loss of two of our students, with compassion, support, and empathy for everyone directly and indirectly affected. We’ve witnessed our staff and students growing personally and academically through engaging projects and experiences while surviving an exhausting winter followed by record flooding.

More could be provided in this summation of the year but while composing this, I was reminded of the speech   Jimmy Valvano gave at the ESPY’s in 1993 that I want to share. Although many remember what became the motto of “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” I want to reference his belief, “that there are three things we should do every day. Number one is to laugh; you should laugh every day. Number two is to think, you should spend some time in thought. Number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears. Could be happiness, joy, or sorrow. Think about it, if you laugh; you think; and you cry; that's a full day, that's a heck of a day. You do this seven days a week, you're going to have something special.”

As we move forward, my hope for everyone is to allow yourself and others to laugh, think, and cry. This year’s experiences have taught us many things, but most important is the C-FC family will be there no matter what! This reflection reminds me why I am so proud to be the superintendent of the Cochrane-Fountain City School District. As a school and community, we will be there for each other to celebrate accomplishments and work through struggles, we are truly C-FC PIRATE STRONG!

Sincerely,
Troy White
Superintendent Cochrane-Fountain City School District

Announcement of Finalists for Superintendent Position

The Cochrane–Fountain City School Board has selected three finalists for the district’s superintendent opening. The finalists are:

• Dawn Lueck - Principal at Washington-Kosciusko Elementary, Winona, Minnesota.
• Sarah Tobiason - District Director of Special Education and Elementary Principal in the Decorah Community School District, Decorah, Iowa.
• Troy White - High School Principal and Director of Instruction at Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau School District, Galesville, Wisconsin.

Ms. Lueck earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Secondary Education from the College of Saint Teresa in Winona, Minnesota, and a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration, as well as a Specialist Degree/K-12 principal licensure from Winona State University. Dawn completed certification requirements for her superintendent licensure through Saint Mary’s University in Winona. Ms. Lueck has 20 years of experience as an English teacher and 14 years of experience in school administration.

Ms. Tobiason began her career as a vocal and general music teacher. After 15 years of teaching, Sarah became a principal and has now served as an administrator for eight years. Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, a Master of Arts in Education from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Ms. Tobiason is currently completing a Doctorate in Education program at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Mr. White is in his 25th year working in education. His professional experience includes 12 years as a physical education teacher and a coach and 13 years as an administrator. Troy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, Adaptive Physical Education, and Coaching from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and a Master of Arts in Education degree in Educational Leadership from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Mr. White’s director of instruction certification and superintendent licensure were also earned through Viterbo University.

Community Forums

Each of the three finalists will be interviewed again by the School Board on Thursday, June 2. During that evening, each of the finalists will also participate in a Community Forum open to community members, parents, students, and district employees. The Community Forum sessions will be held in the school auditorium at 5:00, 6:00, and 7:00. Forum participants will have an opportunity to meet each finalist, ask questions, and provide written feedback to the Board of Education.

Final selection of the new superintendent will be made by the school board. The new superintendent will begin their duties on July 1, 2022.