PCM superintendent selected: Havenstrite chosen from three finalists

The search is over. Michelle Arneson Havenstrite is the newest superintendent for the PCM School District.

Havenstrite was selected from a group of three finalists after a day full of interviews and tours June 29. She comes to PCM after serving as elementary principal and district curriculum director at the Nashua-Plainfield Community School District for the last seven years.

“I am excited and honored to have been chosen to be the PCM superintendent. I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board of Directors, administration team, faculty and staff, students, families and community members,” Havenstrite said. “I am committed to carrying out the PCM standard of Excellence for All — Excellence from All. Together we will continue to move our district in a positive direction and improve the educational outcomes for all of our students.”

Using data provided by consulting firm Grundmeyer Leader Services from feedback from interviews which included a community tour with the city’s mayors, school district tour with departing superintendent Brad Jermeland, a Zoom electronic interview with a mixed team consisting of teachers, support staff, parents, community members and students, an interview with administrators and directors and finally, an interview with the school board, the board found it was clear Havenstrite was the right fit to serve as the next district leader.

It voted unanimously to select Havenstrite as meeting the 10 desired qualifications and characteristics desired for the position.

“We are thrilled Michelle will be joining us at PCM,” board president Stever Nearmyer said. “She really resonated positively with all the interview groups; as a board, it was obvious from the data and our interview that Michelle was the right fit for PCM. We look forward to Michelle joining and leading the PCM family.”

Prior to her time at Nashua-Plainfield, Havenstrite served as the professional development/school improvement/leadership consultant at Prairie Lakes AEA, special education/transition supervisor/lead and special education consultant at Lakeland AEA, inclusion specialist/special education teacher at Waverly, Neb. and multi-categorical special education teacher at Cherokee.

In her last position, Havenstrite coordinated the TLC program, early childhood, before and after school program, the district professional learning, and various school improvement initiatives and special education for the district.

Havenstrite is scheduled to complete her doctorate from the University of South Dakota in December with her dissertation on the Iowa Teacher Leadership and Compensation program.

Havenstrite’s first day with the district was Monday, July 6.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at
641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or
jpierson@newtondailynews.com