Mat-Su school district searching for Paramo’s replacement

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Matanuska-Susitna Borough school district officials say they will miss Dr. Deena Paramo’s enthusiasm and attention to students, now that Anchorage has hired her.

Susan Pougher, President of the Mat-Su school board, says Paramo served as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent before she became MSSD superintendent in 2011

“We’ll miss her greatly. She helped us become the best school district in Alaska,” Pougher said. “But I think Dr. Paramo will become a success in any school district she chooses.”

Dr. Paramo started her tenure in Mat-Su in 1993. The Borough’s school district has grown by about 400 students a year for the past decade. It grew by 708 students this school year alone. In 2011, Borough voters passed a school bond package to foot the costs of six new or expanded school projects.

Pougher says when Dr. Paramo was selected as one of two finalists for the Anchorage position, the school board started looking ahead.

“Well we directed the staff to prepare a series of succession plans when Deena was selected as a finalist. We are prepared to make the best decision for Mat-Su,” she said. “We are fortunate enough to have many dedicated employees in high performing schools. So I am confident we will continue to offer the best education for our students.”

Dr. Paramo leaves the Mat Su School District at a time when the Borough’s education operating budget is expected to be more than $249 million. That figure represents an annual 3% increase in funding for the district, but not the 6% increase the school district had requested.