Copper River School Board Appoints New Superintendent of Schools

The Copper River School Board is pleased to announce their unanimous choice for a new Superintendent, Thérèse Ashton, beginning July 1, 2019. 

The Board wishes to express their sincere thanks to everyone who participated and supported the events on February 18, 19, and 20.  On the morning of February 20th, the board interviewed each candidate for one hour in executive session.  Each candidate toured all three schools and the Upstream Learning Center.  On Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm a public form was facilitated by the superintendent search consultant to whom the public submitted questions for all three candidates to respond. The public was invited to submit written input to the board. 

On the morning of February 20th, the board interviewed each candidate separately for one hour in executive session.  Immediately following the interviews the board met in executive session review the appointment of their choice for superintendent from three exceptionally qualified candidates.   After coming out of executive session, the board took formal action in open session and unanimously supported appointment of Thérèse Ashton.  The board and Thérèse have agreed to a 3-year contract and a starting salary of $115,000 per year.

Thérèse Ashton made the following statement upon her appointment: 

“I am so happy to have this opportunity to work and live in the Copper River School District.  I enjoyed the visits at the school sites and am looking forward to visiting them when they are filled with students and staff. I look forward to being a part of a community that works to make education for all students a priority.”

Thérèse Ashton is currently the Superintendent for Tanana City School District (2013-present) in Tanana, Alaska. Prior to that, she was the Elementary Principal and Federal programs director for Wrangell City Schools from 2003-2013, and an elementary teacher in Wrangell from 1997-2003. Thérèse holds both an Alaska superintendent endorsement from UAA and earned a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from UAA in 2007.  Thérèse attended Western Washington University for her B.A. in English and received her General Education degree in elementary teaching at the University of Alaska Southeast.