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Boards narrow finalists to Portenga and Cole, presidents recommend transition committees
Summary
After evening interviews and reference-check discussion, Ashley and Fulton boards named Ryan Portenga and Brent Cole their top two superintendent finalists and discussed forming transition committees to support a joint superintendent.
During a joint special meeting on April 29, 2026, the Ashley and Fulton boards held deliberations beginning at 9:15 p.m. and narrowed the superintendent finalists to Ryan Portenga and Brent Cole. Board members discussed additional reference checks and shared highlights and areas for improvement identified in those checks.
Both board presidents — Fulton President Karla Childers and Ashley President Steve Hardman — noted the importance of forming committees to ease the transition should a joint superintendent be hired. The minutes record the boards' intent to ensure a structured handoff and additional supports during the transition period.
The deliberations led directly to a motion authorizing presidents Childers and Hardman to enter contract negotiations with Ryan Portenga; the motion passed 5–1.
