VIRGINIA — The ISD 2142 St. Louis County School Board on Tuesday conducted the first two of four interviews for a new superintendent to replace Reggie Engebritson, who is retiring at the end of June.
The interviews were held at the district office in Virginia and followed a standardized format, with board members rotating through a set list of questions focused on leadership, budgeting, communication, and community engagement. Members of the Mt. Iron-Buhl School Board also participated, reflecting that district’s contract with ISD 2142 for a portion of the superintendent’s services.
The two candidates interviewed Tuesday were Tara Lere, superintendent of the Plummer-Worley School District in Plummer, Idaho, and Hannah Frink, student success coordinator for the Perham-Dent School District in west-central Minnesota. Two additional interviews are scheduled later this week.

Tara Lere
Lere brings current superintendent experience to the search, having led the Plummer-Worley district after a lengthy career in education that includes both public and charter schools. She previously served as director of East Range Academy, including returning to the school during a period of instability to help guide it through a transition.
During her interview, Lere emphasized structured governance and communication with the school board, describing a leadership approach that prioritizes advance information-sharing and regular contact ahead of major decisions. She said her goal is to provide board members with data, context, and options so decisions are well informed rather than reactive.
Budgeting and financial oversight featured prominently in her responses. Lere discussed aligning budgets with enrollment projections, strategic priorities, and instructional goals, and emphasized working closely with district business managers to guide financial decisions.
Lere also spoke about delegation and leadership alignment, describing regular meetings with principals and district leadership teams to ensure consistency across schools. She said clear expectations, shared goals, and ongoing communication are essential to keeping leadership teams working toward the same objectives.
Community engagement and inclusion were also part of her experience. Lere described her work leading a public school district located on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation, where she has worked to strengthen relationships with tribal leadership and the tribal department of education. She told board members that listening and showing up consistently in the community have been central to building trust.
Throughout the interview, Lere framed the superintendent role as one that balances operational oversight with visibility, saying she believes it is important for superintendents to be present in schools and at community events, not just in district offices.

Hannah Frink
Frink currently serves as student success coordinator for the Perham-Dent School District, a role that spans all grade levels and includes oversight of state and federal programming, grant management, achievement and integration efforts, and American Indian Education. She previously taught middle school social studies and has worked in teacher leadership roles.
Frink does not have prior superintendent experience, but during the interview she emphasized that her current role has given her broad exposure to district operations, including budgeting, compliance, and program implementation. She described her position as one that frequently involves taking on responsibilities beyond traditional instructional roles and working closely with district leadership across multiple buildings.
A recurring theme in Frink’s interview was leadership through relationships and presence. She emphasized frequent communication, two-way dialogue, and visibility in school buildings as essential to building trust with staff and students. Frink said she views leadership as a partnership with principals and teachers rather than a top-down structure.
Budgeting and resource allocation were also addressed, with Frink noting the wide variation in per-pupil spending across ISD 2142 schools. She said understanding those differences, along with community needs and equity considerations, would be critical in managing district finances. Frink emphasized cost containment and seeking alternative funding sources before turning to cuts that would directly affect students.
Frink also highlighted her work on Building Assets, Reducing Risks, a schoolwide framework aimed at improving student engagement, attendance, and staff collaboration. She described the initiative as having a positive impact on school culture and climate, and said similar approaches could help strengthen districtwide morale and outcomes.
Engagement with American Indian Education was another focus of her interview. Frink said overseeing those programs has been one of the most meaningful aspects of her career and emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with tribal communities within the district.
Like Lere, Frink said the superintendent role requires a visible presence across a geographically large district, noting that community trust is built through consistent engagement rather than occasional appearances.

Shared priorities
While their professional backgrounds differ, both candidates addressed several common themes during their interviews, including the district’s financial challenges, the importance of clear communication with the school board, and the need for a superintendent who is visible and engaged across multiple communities.
Interviews were scheduled to conclude Thursday with Brad Johnson, superintendent of Renville County West Schools, and Brian Masterson, superintendent of Hinckley-Finlayson Schools.