Carson City School Board offers Dr. John Goldhardt superintendent position
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Wed, 02/23/2022 - 11:55am
After a morning of interviewing the final two candidates for the position of superintendent for the Carson City School District, the board trustees offered the position to Dr. John Goldhardt of Manchester School District in New Hampshire.
The final two candidates were Dr. Goldhardt and Andrew Fueling, who is the current Fiscal Services Officer for the school district.
The final interviews consisted of asking the candidates to present on how they would strengthen the district’s Strategic Plan.
Dr. Goldhardt began his presentation stating he was leaving his position in New Hampshire due to harassment he underwent as superintendent, along with the inflation in his prior community.
“I don’t like to leave what I’m doing in the middle of it,” said Dr. Goldhardt.
He went on to say that he was sorry that individuals from his prior community continued their harassment toward him and directed it toward the Carson City school board members as well.
“As Taylor Swift said, ‘Haters are going to hate,’” he said.
Dr. Goldhardt began his career as a high school teacher in a school of 3,000 students which was “extremely crowded,” he said, and worked his way up to become principals of several schools, before becoming involved in directorships and executive positions, until finally becoming superintendent.
Dr. Goldhardt gave a presentation going over how today’s students have changed, and therefore, communicating with students should change as well, including fostering inclusiveness and being able to communicate virtually and promote digital literacy.
Board members asked questions following the presentation, including asking what happened to make things turn ugly in Manchester.
Dr. Goldhardt stated the harassment began when he first interviewed in Carson City. He also stated that the board completely changed over from when he began with them, with only one individual of 15 remaining from when he was hired.
He also stated that he was attacked by the local newspaper, beginning when he supported a charter commission that was looking at separating the school board from the city for autonomy.
However, he corrected himself by stating that receiving “vile messages” and “egg throwing” began before he applied for the Carson City position, when people accused him and the school board of teaching CRT (Critical Race Theory), which he stated they were not.
“Unfortunately it’s just been a history with superintendents,” said Dr. Goldhardt. “I don’t understand it, because I tried really hard to have an open, caring, good relationship and I also was very assertive in trying to change the tone of the district, and that’s not always favorable.”
When asked how he would handle the change of being an outsider coming into a small community, he said his number one priority would be relationship building.
“You have to take a step back and remember the impact of change on people that are scared,” said Dr. Goldhardt. “First and foremost is developing the relationships of trust.”
He stated he would need to develop relationships with the board, the principals, the district staff, and more to create that trust.
During the decision, board members agreed that both candidates would be great additions, but those who voted in favor of Dr. Goldhardt stated they did so because he had the experience.
Public comment favored Dr. Goldhardt as well, citing that "parents want a change" and bringing in an outsider might be able to help initiate that change.
Dr. Goldhardt was chosen on a 4-3 vote, with Trustee Stacie Wilke-McCulloch breaking the tie.
Trustees Laural Crossman, Don Carine and Mike Walker voted in favor of Fueling.
To watch the full interview, please click here.
