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Board appoints Laurie Skadam to Winship and Dr. Holly Larson to Century elementary principals
Summary
The board approved two principal appointments: Laurie Skadam as Winship Elementary principal and Dr. Holly Larson as Century Elementary principal. Both hires were the result of multi‑stakeholder hiring panels and were approved by roll call votes.
The Grand Forks Public Schools Board on May 12 approved two principal appointments for the 2025‑26 school year: Laurie Skadam as principal of Winship Elementary and Dr. Holly Larson as principal of Century Elementary.
Matt Bakke, who chaired the hiring processes, described the district’s multi‑stage selection sequence: public surveys to identify desired leadership traits, candidate pools (18 applicants for Winship, 12 for Century), full‑day interview events that included scenario exercises, panels and student tours, and post‑interview reference checks. Hiring panels included teachers, paraeducators, specialists and district leaders.
Nut graf: The district said the process is designed to assess candidates’ instructional leadership, management of complex systems and fit with school communities; both recommended candidates were endorsed unanimously by their respective hiring committees and brought to the board for final approval.
Laurie Skadam brings 13 years with Grand Forks Public Schools and currently serves as a special education coordinator overseeing early childhood special education, speech and related services. Bakke said a current teacher’s unsolicited reference called Skadam “a gifted leader who exhibits the traits needed to foster an effective team.” The board approved Skadam’s appointment (motion moved by Cleven; second Lund) and set her salary and factors in the personnel action.
Dr. Holly Larson, currently an associate principal at Valley Middle School, was appointed Century Elementary principal. Bakke noted Larson’s MTSS experience, background with Wit & Wisdom curriculum work and leadership in behavior systems. Larson serves on the East Grand Forks school board and could not attend May 12’s meeting; trustees approved her appointment by roll call (motion moved by Anderson; second Hodak).
Ending: Both appointments passed by recorded vote (all present yes; Flynn absent). Administration outlined onboarding and mentoring processes for new principals, including state mentors, in‑district mentors and leadership labs scheduled biweekly during the first year.
