Finalists named to run deaf school

From: Oregonian, OR - Jun 13, 2003

JASON BEGAY

VANCOUVER -- The names of five finalists vying for superintendent of the Washington School for the Deaf were released Thursday, as candidates met with the community, students and school staff.

The school's board of trustees is to interview the candidates today. The board is expected to recommend three finalists to Gov. Gary Locke, who will appoint the state-run school's leader.

The superintendent will begin in the summer. The contract of interim Superintendent John Davis expires at the end of July. The school's previous superintendent, Leonard E. Aron, stepped down in February after more than three years of controversy over student safety. The five finalist candidates are: Michael Finneran, 54

Currently: director of outreach for the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Putney.

Experience: more than 19 years in deaf education as a teacher and a community college American Sign Language instructor. He has also been a high school principal, superintendent and dean of student life.

Education: master of arts in administration and supervision and special education from California State University; bachelor of arts in government from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the nation's leading school for people with hearing disabilities. Monita Hara, 57

Currently: regional director for the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Birmingham Regional Center.

Experience: 25 years in deaf education, special education laws, American Sign Language and deaf culture.

Education: law degree from Miles Law School; master of arts from California State University; master of science in communicative disorders and bachelor of science in elementary education from the University of Alabama. Joe McLaughlin, 51

Currently: administrative officer at the Provincial School for the Deaf in Burnaby, B.C. He also promotes deaf awareness through publications, workshops and conferences directed toward education professionals.

Experience: 24 years in education and leadership; was the first deaf principal at the Alberta School for the Deaf in Edmonton, Alberta.

Education: attended Gallaudet University, majoring in psychology; master of arts in counseling/psychology and education from the University of British Columbia. Angel Ramos, 53

Currently: superintendent of the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind in Gooding.

Experience: more than 20 years in deaf education, including residential schools and post-secondary institutions as well as in administration and university training programs.

Education: doctorate in special education from Gallaudet University; master of arts in education administration from California State University; master of science in deaf education from the State University of New York; bachelor's of science in math from Manhattan College. Todd Reeves, 42

Currently: special education director in the Tacoma School District.

Experience: more than 15 years working in deaf and special education. Served as education program supervisor at the Oregon School for the Deaf. Former Washington School for the Deaf board member.

Education: Graduated in 1996 from the University of Washington School of Law and the Danforth Educational Leadership Program in the School of Education. Jason Begay: 360-896-5719 or 503-294-5900; jasonbegay@news.oregonian.com

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