The Canyons Board of Education today announces the historic selection of three finalists in the national search to appoint the District’s next Superintendent.

The finalists, chosen after an exhaustive application-review and interview process, are the following veteran administrators and educators:

• Dr. James Briscoe, Superintendent of Schools, DeKalb Community Unit School District No. 428 in DeKalb, Ill.
• Craig Hammer, Executive Director of Secondary Schools, Washington County School District in St. George
• Dr. Kathryn McCarrie, Assistant Superintendent and Chief Performance Officer, Canyons School District in Sandy, Utah

The seven-member Board of Education selected the finalists after completing three days of interviews with a select group of applicants from around the country. Canyons District’s first-ever superintendent, Dr. David S. Doty, resigned in spring 2013 to lead a national education reform organization. Dr. Ginger Rhode has served as Interim Superintendent since July 1, 2013 and recently announced her intention to retire July 1, 2014.

“As a Board, we have been duly and thoroughly impressed with the quality of the candidates. It truly was a challenge to narrow the list to just three finalists,” said Board President Sherril H. Taylor. “However, the Board remains dedicated to finding the best possible leader for the District, and we’re confident in the skills, talents and experience of those who remain in consideration for this vitally important position.”

Dr. James Briscoe	Craig Hammer	Dr. Kathryn McCarrie
Dr. Briscoe, who earned a Doctorate of Education at Northern Illinois University, has served for six years as the superintendent of a 6,200-student school district located about 50 miles west of Chicago. Prior to this appointment, he served as superintendent of a 1,800-student high school in Oak Lawn, Ill., and principal of high schools in Brookfield, Wis., and Round Lake, Ill. He also has been a classroom teacher.	Hammer, who received a Master of Education at the University of Utah, has worked for seven years as the executive director of  secondary schools in the 28,000-student school district located in southern Utah. He also has worked for 15 years as a high school administrator, including 13 as principal of Dixie High School, and nine years as a classroom teacher.	Dr. McCarrie, the recipient of a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah, has been Assistant Superintendent since 2011. McCarrie was one of the first administrators appointed in CSD, serving for two years as the Executive Director of the Special Education Department. She also was Granite District’s Special Education Director and Associate Director for nine and four years, respectively. In addition, McCarrie has worked as a principal, assistant principal, special-education coordinator, school psychologist and a special-education classroom teacher.

Members of the Board of Education plan to conduct additional interviews and site visits to the workplaces of the finalists. The Board aims to select the successful candidate in time for a July 1, 2014 start date.