The Kuspuk School District has named a new acting superintendent. The board selected Erich Kuball, a 20-year employee of the district, to take over for former superintendent Sue Johnson. School Board President Wayne Morgan said the board recognized a need for new leadership last year and thanked Johnson for her work. Johnson started with the district in 2015 on a three-year contract. Her last day was Tuesday. Kuball started his new position Wednesday and talked with KYUK that afternoon.
KYUK: So how was your first day?
Kuball: Overwhelming. But I’m trying to get a handle on things and trying to figure out what I need to do.
KYUK: And why do you use the word overwhelming?
Kuball: [Laughs] I was not expecting this yesterday [Tuesday]. I was asked by the school board if I would accept the position yesterday [Tuesday].
KYUK: And why did you say yes?
Kuball: Well, I think they’re in a need during this transition, and they asked me to step up. And I thought about it for a little bit and then decided to accept the position.
KYUK: Will you talk about what your role with the district has been before this position?
Kuball: I’ve been working with the Kuspuk School District now for 20 years. I started as a high school teacher in Aniak, and after a few years I stepped into the District Office as an itinerant counselor where I traveled to all of the Kuspuk villages for a number of years, providing academic and career counseling to secondary students. And then over the years, job descriptions change and some duties are added and some are taken away. And so the variety of things that I’ve done in the district over the years has changed. My title right before that was the Student Services Coordinator. I do a number of things: working with transcripts, working with enrollment, traveling out to sites to work with students to academically advise them, district reporting, testing. So I’ve done a variety of things with the district.
KYUK: Do you feel like your past experience with the district has prepared you for the position of acting superintendent?
Kuball: I believe it has. The board had specifically mentioned they were looking for somebody during this transition who had a working relationship with all the villages in our district, someone who knew the kids, someone who knew the parents, and someone who knew the staff.
KYUK: What challenges are you expecting as you navigate this position?
Kuball: Being able to multi task with lots of different pans in the fire, so to speak. Lots of organizations I need to work with. Lots of things that might come my way. It’s all going to be new, and I’m excited for the challenge.
KYUK: How are the kids doing so far this school year?
Kuball: The announcement was made publicly this morning [and] to the staff last night. We don’t anticipate a lot of changes at all, if any, at any of the schools. They should notice no difference. At the district office, of course, we need to rearrange some things, but for the most part I think things are going quite well. I’ve actually gotten a number of emails from various staff and students congratulating me on the position.
KYUK: Eric, thank you.
Kuball: You’re welcome.
