Merrill Area Public Schools Director of Curriculum David Brandvold has been selected as the new superintendent of the Edgar School District. Brandvold’s contract with MAPS expires June 30, and he will begin work in Edgar in July.
Brandvold came to MAPS as Merrill High School associate principal five years ago. Last year he was tapped to fill the role of district curriculum director. He didn’t have his sights set on a superintendent job until he was approached about the opening in Edgar.
“This one just kind of jumped out at me and the opportunity presented itself,” Brandvold said.
With that opportunity before him, Brandvold, 51, had to re-evaluate his career goals.
“Merrill has been in a transition for over a year now,” he said. “I’m at that point where I can either hang on and see what’s going to happen or go somewhere and positively impact education in a different district.”
His experience as curriculum director in Merrill gave him a broader view of a school district, Brandvold noted.
“I learned so much about what happens not only at the high school and middle school, but at the elementary schools as well,” he said. Much of the work he was doing as Merrill’s curriculum director will relate to his new job in Edgar, Brandvold added.
While Edgar is a smaller school district than Merrill – with two buildings, a high school and a combination elementary/middle school – many of the issues are the same.
“They still have the same financial challenges that all districts have,” Brandvold said.
“I’m looking forward to working with their board of education, they’re really progressive and interested in continuing to make school a fantastic place to be,” he said.
Brandvold said he’ll miss the students, teachers and administrative staff of MAPS.
“For all the bad press that’s been lingering, the school has done so much for the kids and the kids have done so much for the school,” he said.
Of his time with MAPS, Brandvold said he is most proud of the relationships he was able to create with students, parents and staff.
“I tried to serve all of them, which is difficult to do,” he said. “I make my decisions based on what is best for kids and I think people respected that.”
While Brandvold was with MAPS, his two youngest children graduated from Merrill High School. Brandvold and his wife, Karin, will eventually relocate to Edgar so he can become part of that community. Karin plans to continue to work as an RN at Bone & Joint Clinic in Merrill even after they relocate, he said.
The MAPS Board of Education will consider Brandvold’s resignation as director of curriculum Monday, April 30.