Alumni success story

Wells takes top schools post

New superintendent seen as 'strong leader'

BY TAMMY J. OSEID
Pioneer Press

Dee Wells will become Dakota County's only female school superintendent after agreeing Tuesday night to become Inver Grove Heights' schools leader.

Contract details still need to be worked out, but the top administrator of the 2,200-student Medford, Wis., school district agreed to accept the offer the school board extended Tuesday night. Wells is expected to start in Inver Grove Heights on July 1.

"I asked myself: 'What does this district need right now?' " said board chairman Phil Prokopowicz. "I initially got involved because of a sense of stagnation here. We have incredible assets in this district, but what we need is a leader, a strong leader … who is ready to move this district forward."

Four of six board members initially chose Wells, 44, as their favorite of four finalists, praising her intelligence, innovation and honesty. Two initially preferred South Washington legal-services director Mark Porter, who they believed was more of a consensus builder.

After about two hours of discussion, the board agreed to offer the job to Wells. Contract details will be finalized at a later meeting.

"I feel she's a strong leader and that's something our community needs," said parent Pam Glenn, who served on the district's community advisory board for the search.

Five of 12 committee members, including Glenn, chose Wells as their favorite among six semifinalists.

However, Wells initially missed being one of the seven semifinalists interim Inver Grove Heights superintendent and search consultant Ken LaCroix selected in February.

After two semifinalists dropped out, LaCroix added Wells to the list. Wells then impressed school board members and the community committee to become the favorite heading into this week's final interviews.

"Wells rose to the top, which I thought was incredible," said Paul Mandell, who also served on the community committee. "I think she gets it: She's witty, quick and doesn't lose a step. She's thinking on her feet constantly."

Board member John Honchell worried some of that wit might seem inappropriate to some and that some teachers might be upset about ongoing union tension in the Medford schools.

"She is going to rub some people the wrong way," Prokopowicz said. "But she said the person she most admired was a music teacher who initially rubbed her the wrong way. … I hope they will eventually have the same opinion of her as she has of that music teacher."

DEIRDRE WELLS

Career: Initially worked as a speech and language therapist in two southern Wisconsin districts. Took her first job in Medford, as a therapist, in 1985, and worked her way up to top administrator in 2002.

Education: Earned bachelor's and master's degrees in communicative disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire by 1983. In 1994, received a master's in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, and in 2003, earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Milwaukee's Cardinal Stritch University.