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2025 Superintendent Search

Superintendent Selection Announcement

Monday, January 13, 2025

Dear Valdez City School District Community,

After a lengthy and detailed hiring process, the Valdez City School Board has selected Jason Weber to be the Valdez City School District Superintendent.  Mr. Weber will remain in the role of Interim Superintendent / HHES Principal for the remainder of 2024-2025 school year.   Beginning July 1, 2025 Mr. Weber will assume the full-time role of Valdez School District Superintendent. 

The Valdez City School Board would like to thank everyone that participated in any way, especially by providing input during this superintendent selection process.

The Valdez City School Board congratulates Jason Weber on his new position as the Valdez City School District Superintendent.  Mr. Weber has a lengthy career as a teacher and administrator throughout Alaska.  He has consistently served the Valdez City School District Community in a positive manner as the HHES Principal and as the Acting Superintendent.  Mr. Weber was considered one of the top candidates throughout this process.  Again, congratulations to Valdez City School District Superintendent Jason Weber.

Sincerely,

Kalin King, VCS Board Chair

Superintendent Search Update from VCS Board Chair Kalin King

Friday, January 3, 2025

Dear Valdez School District Community,

As many of you know, the Valdez School District has been engaged in a process to hire a new superintendent. This process has been guided by Steve Lowder from McPherson and Jacobson, L.L.C. Initially, 16 applicants expressed interest in the position, all of whom were vetted by Mr. Lowder based on the job requirements and input from various district stakeholders. After this review, the Valdez School Board was presented with a pool of five candidates.

The board carefully reviewed these candidates and ultimately narrowed the field to three finalists: Rauna Fox, Jason Weber, and Bill Burr. Each candidate participated in an initial interview with the board, and all three demonstrated strong qualifications for the position. As a result, the board decided to move forward with meetings between the candidates and the district’s various user groups, scheduled for January 6-9.

However, as of January 3, 2025, both Rauna Fox and Bill Burr have withdrawn their candidacies for personal reasons. Consequently, the meetings scheduled with Ms. Fox on January 7 and Mr. Burr on January 9 have been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

At this time, Jason Weber remains a viable candidate, and his meetings with district user groups will proceed as scheduled on January 6, 2025. The Valdez School Board looks forward to gathering your feedback on Mr. Weber’s candidacy.

Please note that the board will continue with the decision-making process on the new superintendent position following these meetings.

Thank you for your continued involvement and patience as we work through this important process.

Sincerely,

Kalin King

VCS Board Chair

As the Valdez City Schools Board of Education continues to narrow down the best candidates to lead our school district in the 2025-2026 school year, three finalists were invited to spend a day in Valdez to learn more about the position and our community.

One finalist committed to continuing the interview process and visiting Valdez during the week of January 6-9th, 2025.  (Two finalists withdrew from consideration.) The visit will include tours of all district buildings and meetings with school board members, district leadership, teachers and staff, students, and community members. Following each meeting, the Board of Education will collect written feedback from participants. This input will be shared directly (and only) with the Board of Education to help inform their selection of a new superintendent.

Members of the Valdez community are invited to meet the candidates in-person and ask questions during the following times:

  • Monday, January 6 at 5:00pm in the Valdez High School Library: Jason Weber

Please note that in accordance with the Alaska Open Meetings Act, the Valdez City Schools Board of Education announces that several board members may be in attendance at the upcoming Superintendent Search events (including meet and greets, dinners, and tours).

While no formal board action will be taken during these informal meetings, this notice is provided to ensure transparency and compliance with state law.

Meet the Superintendent Candidate Finalists

Jason Weber

My name is Jason Weber, I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. After college I received an opportunity to teach in McGrath, Alaska. I jumped at the job and moved to Alaska. I taught in McGrath for a year, before settling in Metlakatla where I spent 16 years teaching, coaching, administrating and raising my family. (My beautiful wife Keristyn as well my amazing children; Alyvia, Romen, Jewely, and AJ). For the past 6 years I have been working in Valdez as the Hermon Hutchens Elementary School principal and interim superintendent.

In my free time, I enjoy hiking, boating, scuba diving, and enjoying the outdoors. While living in Metlakatla I also received a master's degree from the University of Southeast Alaska-Juneau as a Reading Specialist, as well as a master’s degree from the University of Alaska-Anchorage in School Administration. Currently I am working on finishing up my superintendent's credentials at the University of Alaska-Juneau.

Valdez is now our home. It's been a great place to raise my kids and watch them grow into fine young adults. I particularly love all of the outdoor recreation options in and around Valdez. I look forward to the opportunity of serving as your superintendent long term.