Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Rich Carlson is spending his 44th year in education as interim superintendent for the Haines Borough School District.

Carlson was hired for the 2017-2018 school year after former superintendent Tony Habra resigned last month. This will be Carlson’s second stint in Haines. He served as the interim superintendent in 2015-2016.

“Haines is a special place,” Carlson said. “I like the people I’m working with and I like the people I’m working for.”

Carlson retired from working as superintendent in Klawock for 12 years in 2013, and had another interim superintendent position in Cordova. He previously worked for 20 years in rural villages in northern Alaska.

“Haines is one of the very few places I would consider coming out of retirement for,” Carlson said.

He said one of his goals for the year is to make sure the school board and staff understand the budget. Carlson said the budget can often be “mystical” to people who don’t have a good grasp of how it works. He said looking ahead to make sure the district is spending money wisely is important.

Carlson also is tasked with assisting the school board with its superintendent search. Although he was hired for a year, Carlson said there is a clause in his contract that states if the school board hires a new permanent superintendent within the year, they will give Carlson 30 days-notice to leave the position.

Carlson said he will also help the school board refresh the district’s strategic plan that emphasizes student learning and “well-rounded education.”

Outside of school, Carlson said he stays active and works out every day. He is joined in Haines by his wife who is also a retired educator of 30 years. His daughter, Ramie Carlson, was hired this year as the district’s new kindergarten teacher.