Brian Biermann, 34, has definite ideas of what he wants to do in education and he thinks USD 257 would fit in nicely.
That includes immersing himself as much as possible with students.
Biermann was here Tuesday to visit the district and talk with board members. He is one of four candidates to replace Dr. Craig Neuenswander, superintendent of schools.
Biermann began his career in education at Santa Fe Trail, a rural setting between Scranton and Overbrook. He taught social studies, coached several sports, sponsored forensics, student council and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and even directed a musical stage production.
“If they needed someone, I volunteered,” Biermann said.
Biermann earned a degree in education at Kansas State University in 1999. Three years later he had a master’s degree in education administration from Washburn University and district certification from Pittsburg State University.
“I wanted to see if I could get kids as excited about education,” as an administrator, “as I did in the classroom,” Biermann said.
He got his chance at Spring Hill, where as assistant principal he helped open a new high school. Four years later, in 2007, he moved within the district to Louisburg Middle School, where today he still is principal.
Looking ahead, he completed a doctorate in education leadership and policy from the University of Kansas in 2010.
USD 257 is attractive, Biermann said, because it “blends well with my personal and professional goals. There are a lot of superintendent positions open this year, but this is one of the few that interests me.”
Biermann said the district’s and Iola’s smaller size would be a good fit for his children, Jace, in first grade, and Kyler, a four-year-old preschool student.
Biermann and his wife, Julie, grew up in small towns; he on a wheat farm near Leoti and she in Osage City. They met while students at Kansas State.
Julie is a registered nurse and works in obstetrics at Olathe Medical Center. She teaches online early nursing classes for Allen County Community College and does clinical instruction for Neosho County Community College at the medical center.
ACCC being in Iola also is an attraction for Biermann. One of his goals is to teach at the college level.
“This wouldn’t be a stepping stone,” he said. “We’re looking to put down roots in a system where the kids would fit in, as well as Julie and I. I’m looking for a long-term commitment, and I’m willing to make a long-term commitment to the district.
“I’ve been fortunate to have been in an excellent district, where I’ve been able to learn and seen what it takes to succeed, which comes from putting people in the right places and developing the right programs,” Biermann said.
Louisburg Middle School is one of five middle schools in the running for national recognition, which will be announced in Denver next week.
“I’d like to bring the experiences” that led to LMS’s nomination to USD 257, he said.
A CHALLENGE here and for districts throughout Kansas is funding.
USD 257 stands to lose more than $400,000 in state aid the remainder of this school year and in 2011-12.
“I know you (USD 257) have $500,000 in contingency funds, but you can’t deplete it just to meet state aid cuts,” Biermann said.
Whatever occurs to deal with funding cuts should be transparent for patrons, he said.
“We have building-based budgets in our district and we have public meetings to discuss finances,” Biermann noted. “We bring in people from the community and help them understand such things as why a computer can be purchased with capital outlay money but salaries can’t be paid from that fund.”
Biermann’s superintendent, as concession to his ambition, has “involved me in the district budgeting process,” which has given him a leg up on financial matters.
THE LAST of four candidates, Brian Cordel, assistant superintendent at Nickerson USD 309, was to have been in Iola this evening for interviews, but the snow storm canceled his visit.
