The Issaquah School Board selected Chad Magendanz as its newest member Tuesday night, ending a 42-day vacancy that put candidates through rounds of grueling questions and weeks of stress.
Magendanz, a design lead for a Kirkland-based software company, secured his spot in a 3-1 vote. His resume includes a degree from Cornell University, a long career at Microsoft and membership in the Issaquah Kiwanis, Safe Roads for Issaquah, the Maywood PTSA and Stand for Children. He also served as a nuclear submarine officer after attending the Navy Nuclear Power School and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory.
Board members made the decision after about a 30-minute recess left the two candidates nervously joking and chatting with each other and meeting attendees.
Magendanz said he felt huge relief after the decision.
“But also some trepidation. This is a big responsibility, and I won’t take it lightly. (The board) has set the bar high,” he said.
Board members praised Magendanz for his enthusiasm, background in math and science, conflict resolution and sense of leadership.
They also emphasized the difficulty they faced in making their final decision. At an Oct. 20 meeting, the members narrowed five candidates down to Magendanz and Carla Wigen, but stated they needed more time to think to make a final decision. At this second round of interviews, board members presented the candidates with a series of hypothetical situations and asked for their responses, and continued to highlight the qualifications of both candidates.
“We have two excellent candidates,” Board member Brian Deagle said. “It’s like the 100-meter finals in the Olympics. There’s only one gold medalist, but they’re all pretty darn fast.”
Member Connie Fletcher jokingly suggested putting a loveseat at the table and selecting both candidates.
One question asked the contenders to detail their vision for making the Issaquah School Board a great one. Magendanz centered on openness with the community, and a focused board that can make tough decisions.
“What could really define us as a great board would be if we had a very transparent and accountable system, so that as these tough decisions are being made, the community is invested in the solutions,” he said.
Before board members voted, they listed the criteria posted for the position, which included organizational leadership skills, a demonstrated commitment to public education and the Issaquah School District, trustworthiness and community respect, among many others.
The position, which represents the Issaquah Highlands, Issaquah downtown core, Mirrormont, Preston and Tiger Mountain areas, was left vacant when Mike Winkler resigned on Sept. 11. Magendanz will serve the remainder of Winkler’s term, through November 2009.
He will be sworn into office at the Nov. 12 board meeting.
