Dr.

Steve Bodnar

Assistant Superintendent

Centralia S chool District | 232 0 Bors t Avenu e Cen tralia, WA 98531 Tel: 360.330 .7600 | FAX: 360. 3 30.7604

January 24, 2014

To Whom It May Concern: It is with great pleasure that I write a letter of recommendation for Scott Niemann who has served with distinction as the Executive Director of Teaching, Learning, and Special Programs for the past four years. The written comments that follow are based on four years of direct supervisory support and personal observations of Scotts human relations and technical skills that have added tremendous value to the core of the Centralia School Districts instructional program. Eleven years of building level administrative experience coupled with a variety of grade level teaching assignments provided a superb foundation for Scott in his current district leadership role. In this role, Scott led numerous successful initiatives such as the Skyward Student Management Conversion process for the entire organization. Scott served as a co-leader in the development of our District Strategic Plan that was inclusive of a broad-based group of stakeholders comprised of community leaders, parents, classified personnel, certificated staff, and students. His effort was instrumental in helping to set the truth north direction for the Centralia School District. Subsequent to the development of the plan, Scott has been an integral person in the implementation of the Strategic Plan. Scotts talent and skill as a professional development trainer and facilitator have been evidenced in a variety of contexts. For example, he led and implemented a K-6 Standards-Based Grading Practices process that has assisted with a quantum shift in all of our elementary schools. Even with challenges that arose in the process, Scott listened for understanding, validated concerns, and responded with a problem-solving approach that resulted in a favorable outcome for a diverse group of educators. A second example has been Scotts leadership role in several instructional materials review processes. His organizational and facilitation skills coupled with a consensus decision-making process led to ownership and embracing the final outcome. Another unique aspect of Scotts Executive Director role is oversight of a myriad of federal and state categorical programs. Though this area of oversight was brand new for Scott, his knowledge, skill, and expertise is now recognized as a model throughout the 44 districts of ESD #113. Specifically, the recordkeeping systems, monitoring of millions of dollars of funds, and the creation of budget tools or applications have been an excellent asset to principals and other buildings. His careful fiscal stewardship has maximized the use of these categorical funds to support supplemental educational opportunities and interventions for students who have not attained academic standards. I would be remiss if I didnt highlight Scotts experience in the new teacher evaluation system that has been implemented across the state. He has been involved with the planning and leading of professional development training for teacher and principals. Additionally, Scott has assumed a leadership role in peer observation walks that has led to a greater level of evaluation calibration and understanding of our instructional framework.

Dr. Steve Bodnar

Superintendent

Matt McCauley
Assistant Superintendent

Scott Niemann
Executive Director of Teaching, Learning, & Special Programs

Dr. Steve Bodnar

Assistant Superintendent

Centralia S chool District | 232 0 Bors t Avenu e Cen tralia, WA 98531 Tel: 360.330 .7600 | FAX: 360. 3 30.7604

It is important to note that the multitude of Scotts technical skills are blended with outstanding interpersonal communication skills. Scott has the ability to immediately build rapport with people through a wonderful sense of humor and genuine personal regard for others. Additionally, he has proven to be an extremely trustworthy individual in that Scotts honesty, integrity, consistency, and benevolence permeate his interactions with people. In conclusion, I would not hesitate to recommend Scott Niemann for a district level administrative position in your organization. He would add valuable skill and expertise as an educational leader. If you have any further questions regarding Scotts job performance as the Executive Director of Teaching, Learning, and Special Programs, please give me a call at (360) 330-7600 or you may contact via email at sbodnar@centralia.wednet.edu. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,

Steve Bodnar, Ed.D. Superintendent

Dr. Steve Bodnar

Superintendent

Matt McCauley
Assistant Superintendent

Scott Niemann
Executive Director of Teaching, Learning, & Special Programs