Idaho Falls District 91 selects new superintendent
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IDAHO FALLS — After a lengthy discussion Tuesday morning, the Idaho Falls School District 91 has decided on its next superintendent.
During the School Board of Trustees meeting, Eric Pingrey was chosen by a board’s vote after hours of a closed executive session to discuss the two candidate finalist. Pingrey will replace retiring Superintendent George Boland, who leaves District 91 at the end of the school year.
“I look forward to working with him and seeing what we can do to excel the education process for our students in District 91,” Trustee Paul Haacke said. He and fellow Trustee Larry Wilson were the only two votes opposing a motion to hire Pingrey.
Pingrey currently works as the superintendent at Walker Hackensack Akeley School District in Walker, Minnesota. Before his current position, he worked as a principal for the Converse County School District in Douglas, Wyoming, and a principal for the Custer School District in Custer, South Dakota.
The educator’s resume includes work as a court services officer for the Unified Judicial System, an ExCEL program administrator and a youth counselor/teacher for a department of corrections.
Pingrey earned bachelor’s degrees in history and social science and secondary education. His master’s degree is in education administration with a secondary principal administrative certificate followed by an education administration superintendent degree, according to District 91.
The selection of Pingrey came after several applicants were narrowed down to Pingrey and James Shank, the Superintendent at Cassia County Schools in Burley, Idaho. Both were at a meet and greet Monday night, followed by a Q&A session at Taylorview Middle school so the board could receive community input with a survey.
Board of Trustee Chair Lara Hill has been selected to negotiate the terms of a contract with Pingrey.