Baker School District names top two Superintendent candidates
By Joe Hathaway on Monday, February 19th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release by the Baker School District) Following panel interviews last week with district school board members, students, staff, parents, and other community members, the Baker School District Board has named the top two finalists in their search for a new Superintendent for the coming school year.
The last week in February, Casey Hallgarth and Kristina Wonderly will return for a second set
of interviews, which will include a Community Meet & Greet in the Baker High School Library
on Wednesday, February 28, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM PT.
Casey Hallgarth is currently the Superintendent of Prairie City School District #4 in Prairie City, OR, a position he has held since July of 2018. Previously, he was a sixth grade teacher for
Grant School District #3 from August 2014 through June 2018.
Kristina Wonderly has worked for the Linn Benton Lincoln Education Service District (ESD)
since July 2020, where she has led the Strategic Partnerships for Student Success Program
since November 2021. Previously, she was Head of the Ashbrook Independent School in
Corvallis, OR, from May 2018 through June 2020; Coordinator of Training for the Northwest
PBIS Network in Beaverton, OR, from October 2016 through April 2018; Principal at Jeddah
Private School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 2015 through June 2016; and Assistant
Principal, PBIS Specialist, and Dean of Students for Central School District 13J in Independence, OR, from December 2005 through June 2015.
“We enjoyed getting to know Casey and Kristina a little bit better during their recent interviews,
and we look forward to spending more time with each of them to find the best fit for Baker
School District,” says Board Chair Julie Huntington. “We hope that our local community will join us for the Meet & Greet at Baker High School on Wednesday, February 28, to be introduced to the candidates and provide their feedback, as well.”
The Baker School District Board plans to hire the new Superintendent at their regular Board meeting on Tuesday, March 5, at 6:00 PM PT.
Using collaborative leadership, Baker 5J schools enhance community vitality by providing cradle-to-career opportunities across broad, integrated learning platforms for rewarding educational experiences.
About the Baker School District
Nationally recognized Baker School District 5J (BSD) is a major employer in Baker City, OR,
serving approximately 1,700 students locally with an additional 3,000 online students across
the state of Oregon. Through enterprising, collaborative endeavors, BSD is creating an
innovative educational foundation for future Oregonians. BSD believes strong school
collaboration with local partners enables us to create vibrant communities that support
lifelong learners.
