Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Penny M. Kodrich, Robert A. Meyer, Dr. Mary Jo Schmid, and Dr. Mark A. Wolak, and the reappointment of Dr. Jean M. Haar to the Board of School Administrators.

Haar, of Mankato, is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and the director of its Center for Engaged Leadership. Previously, she was a secondary principal at Deuel High School in Clear Lake, South Dakota, and a high school teacher in the Rutland (South Dakota) School District. Haar earned her doctorate of philosophy degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, her master of arts degree in educational administration – as well as her bachelor of arts degree – from South Dakota State University in Brookings. Haar, who has been a member of the Board of School Administrators since 2005, is reappointed to a position for a higher education faculty member in an educational administration program approved by the board to another four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Kodrich, of Edina, is the director of special services with Edina Public Schools. Previously, she was an assistant director for special education, the director of the Title I Program, the coordinator of English as a Second Language, and a school psychologist with Edina Public Schools. She was also a school psychologist with South Washington County Schools, a family living consultant with Eau Claire (Wisconsin) Public Schools, and a substitute teacher at Durand (Wisconsin) High School. Kodrich earned her master of science degree in education from the University of Wisconsin, Menomonie, and her bachelor of arts degree from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and has completed continuing education graduate coursework in special education administration at the University of Minnesota. Kodrich replaces Daniel Sullivan on the Board of School Administrators as a representative of special education directors to complete a four-year term that expires on January 2, 2012.

Meyer, of Lindstrom, is the director of community education with Chisago Lakes Area Schools. He is also the executive director of the Minnesota Community Education Association. He has previously been the manager of association operations at the Minnesota School Age Care Alliance, director of community education with Storm Lake, Iowa Community Schools, and community education coordinator with South Washington County Schools.

Meyer earned his master of science degree in education supervision and instructional leadership-community education as well as his bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. Meyer, who is a member of the Board of School Administrators Administrative Rule Review Committee, replaces Ramraj Singh on the board as a representative of community education directors to complete a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

Schmid, of Moorhead, is the principal of Ellen Hopkins Elementary School in Moorhead. She is also a principals academy trainer with the Minnesota Principals Academy of the National Institute for School Leadership, and has been an adjunct instructor in educational leadership and theory at Minnesota State University, Moorhead. She has held principal positions with a number of Moorhead elementary schools over 19 years, and was previously an elementary school teacher. Schmid earned her doctorate of education degree in educational leadership from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, her master of science degree – as well as her sixth year certification – in educational administration from St. Cloud State University, and her bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from the University of Minnesota, Morris. Schmid replaces Stanford Nelson on the Board of School Administrators as a representative of elementary school principals to a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Wolak, of Pine Springs, is the superintendent of Mahtomedi Public Schools, a position he has held since 2002. He has held positions as assistant superintendent for accountability and executive director of student support services with the Minnetonka Public Schools, elementary principal and director of special education with the North Branch Public Schools, director of special education with the Rum River Special Education Cooperative, and supervisor of special education with the Benton Stearns Education District. Wolak earned his doctorate of education degree in education policy and administration from the University of Minnesota, his masters and bachelors degrees in special education from St. Cloud State University. Wolak replaces Diane Rauschenfels on the Board of School Administrators as a representative of school superintendents to complete a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

The Board of School Administrators is responsible for the licensing of school administrators; the approval of higher education programs and continuing education courses for school administrators; and the enforcement of the code of ethics for school administrators. The board is made up of 10 members appointed by the Governor.