Two more former educators seek to replace Blankenship
Posted: Thursday, July 28, 2005 12:00 am
CHEYENNE (AP) - Two former educators have joined the growing ranks seeking the job of state superintendent of public instruction.
Thomas J. Reynolds of Wilson and Marvin Emrich of Casper were the latest to express interest in replacing Trent Blankenship, bringing the number of candidates to nine.
Blankenship announced in June that he would step down Aug. 1 to become superintendent of a school district in Barrow, Alaska, saying he was weary of political fights with Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, and that he wanted to spend more time with family.
Wyoming Republican Party leaders will gather in Casper on Aug. 13 to select three possible successors and forward those names to Freudenthal, who will have five days to choose a replacement from that list.
The successor will serve the remainder of Blankenship's term, which expires at the end of 2006.
Reynolds has taught at all levels, from elementary school to college, and most recently was visiting professor of business at the University of Notre Dame. He has a Ph.D. in statistical methods and test theory and been president of three consulting firms.
Reynolds said education, one of the largest segments of the economy, should be run more like a business, and that corporate practices could be employed to identify and remove obstacles that hinder student proficiency.
Emrich is a former educator who operates Emrich Enterprises, which produces media and video productions, including a series on the Oregon, California and Mormon Pioneer trails.
He said if he were chosen state superintendent he would request a three-year audit of the Wyoming Department of Education and examine consulting contracts to see if the state is getting its money's worth.
The other seven candidates are:
* Annette Bohling, of Cheyenne, state deputy superintendent for educational quality and accountability in the Department of Education;
* Don Bryngelson, of Cheyenne, former superintendent in Wheatland, Pinedale and Jeffrey city and the first director of the School Facilities Commission;
* Jim Bush, of Casper, school board member for the Natrona County School District;
* Roseanna Davison, of Lingle, a reading teacher at Fort Laramie Middle School and director of a Platte County School District 2 program for low-income families;
* Jim McBride, of Cheyenne, technology director for the Department of Education;
* Sue Stevens, of Pine Bluffs, education consultant with Cutting Edge Consulting Services; and
* Jim Twiford, of Douglas, transportation and physical plant director for Converse County School District 1, a former state Senate president and a Republican primary candidate for state superintendent in 2002.