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Directors

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Troy Anderson, M.S., CETL

Director of Instructional Technology

Troy joined the Elk River School District in 2012. Troy has previous experience as an elementary school teacher and held the position of Technology Integration Specialist in the Osseo School District for 13 years. Troy provides leadership to our Online and Digital Learning Specialists in the areas of coordinating professional development and online learning initiatives for staff. 

He earned his Associate in Arts from Bemidji State University, Bachelor of Arts from Winona State University and Master's Degree in Instructional Technology from St. Cloud State University. In 2024 Troy earned his CETL (Certified Education Tech Leader) Certification.  The CETL certification is awarded by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and signifies mastery of the knowledge and skills needed to bring 21st Century technology to our K-12 schools and other education organizations.

Shannon Blair-Olsen headshot

Shannon Blair-Olsen

Director of human resources

Shannon Blair-Olsen joined ISD 728 as Director of Human Resources June 17, 2024. 

Shannon brings a wealth of experience and expertise in Human Resources, complemented by a strong legal background. She holds an undergraduate degree in political science from Saint Mary's at Notre Dame and a law degree from Suffolk Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. Her professional journey includes roles such as an employment attorney at Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly, Director of Human Resources for Monticello Schools and most recently as the Human Resources/Employee Relations Manager for TruStone Financial.

Shannon's commitment to our community extends beyond her professional endeavors. As an active parent - including volunteering - and community member within ISD 728, Shannon has a unique perspective and understanding of our District's needs and values.

 

Kelly Corbett

Director of Teaching & Learning

Kelly Corbett has served as a principal, assistant principal, district assessment specialist, and teacher. Her experience includes extensive work with at-risk students, center-based special education programming, Title I, II & IV, EL students and families, project-based learning, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, and staff development specializing in assessment analysis. In addition, she has wide-ranging experience working with diverse populations, facilitating extra-curricular activities, implementing PBIS, forming partnerships with community organizations, engaging families, and managing financial resources.

As the Director of Teaching & Learning, she oversees the development and implementation of the district's curriculum programs and staff development activities to comply with federal, state, and district standards. She also ensures that curriculum and staff development align with the ISD 728 Strategic Plan.

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Cory Franson

Director of Community Engagement

Cory Franson has been a part of the ISD 728 family since 2008 working as the Program Manager for Community Education.  In 2016, Cory started the role as Director of Community Engagement and Community Education.  Cory has been in the field of Community Education since 2005, working in Winona, MN prior to joining ISD 728.  Cory received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Winona State, and his Community Education Director’s License and Masters Degree from St. Cloud State University.

Cory provides leadership to the Community Education department and to numerous District programs including Early Education, communications, legislative involvement and community engagement opportunities.

Rachel Hilyar, MEd

Director of Prevention, Safety & Grants

Rachel Hilyar has led the work of the ISD 728 Prevention and Safety Department since 2017. In this role, she works with a dynamic team of district leaders, including the Prevention & Safety, Educational Services teams and building principals, to embed powerful prevention strategies that foster resiliency and ensure a safe learning environment for all. Some of the initiatives included to achieve this are: Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse Prevention, Emergency Response and Crisis Management Protocols, Bullying Prevention and so much more! Rachel earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Social Science and a Masters of Education Degree both from the University of Minnesota.

To learn more visit the Prevention & Safety webpage.

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Joseph Primus

Director of Finance

Joe has been with the district since August 2009. Previous to this position, he was the Director of Finance at Columbia Heights Public Schools for eight years. Joe has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from St. Cloud State University. He maintains an active CPA license. 

Joe is a current member of the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials, the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Association of School Business Officials.  For more information on Finance, go to Departments and then Finance/Payroll.

Joseph Samek

Director of Information Technology

Joe Samek has been with the district since November 2001. He is responsible for technology planning, services and support. He oversees technology staff, coordinating district information systems, communication networks, help desk services, and technology equipment. Prior to March 2004, Joe worked throughout the district as a certified computer technician. Joe has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from North Dakota State University.

Dr. Joseph Stangler, Ed. D.

Director of STUDENT SERVICES, Research & planning

Since joining the school district in 1999, Joe has provided district-wide leadership in the areas of student information systems and state reporting; English Learners and Title III; American Indian Education Program; Homeless student services; and high school registration. In addition, his department develops student enrollment projections used for planning purposes and also manages district-wide data requests.

He assumed his current position in 2002 after serving as principal at Zimmerman Junior High School. Prior to that, Joe was an assistant principal at Rockford High School and a math teacher at Pelican Rapids Junior-Senior High School and at McAllen Memorial High School in McAllen, Texas.

Joe holds Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Economics from St. Olaf College and has earned three degrees from the University of St. Thomas: a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and both a Specialist's degree and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. He is licensed as a secondary school math teacher and principal, and superintendent.

Megan Miller

Megan Welsh
Director of Special services

Megan Welsh, former Director of Special Services at Hastings Public Schools and a former principal in Northeast Metro District 916, joins ISD 728 as its new Director of Special Services, beginning in May 2024.

Megan (pronounced MEE-gan) has been in Special Education Services for more than a decade, serving as a supervisor in the Shakopee school system prior to joining Northeast Metro 916 in White Bear Lake as an assistant principal and then, eventually, a principal. She moved to Hastings Public Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic, starting there in 2020. 

She did her undergraduate work at Purdue University (Indiana), where she majored in communications, earning her bachelor’s in 1999. She found a home in education, receiving her Masters of Education in Special Education from the University of Minnesota in 2003. She earned her Director of Special Education License from the University of Minnesota in 2010.