Former principal interviews for Libby superintendent job

Community members got their first glimpse this week at a potential candidate to replace outgoing Superintendent Craig Barringer — and it turned out to be a familiar face.

Ron Goodman, former principal of Libby Elementary School, met with teachers, students and residents at events held across town beginning March 10. The tour culminated with a public job interview held by the Libby School Board on March 12, after The Western News’ print deadline.

Speaking with teachers at his former haunt March 10, Goodman told the crowd that he believed his returning to education represented a way to give back to the community as he approached his 50th birthday. He wanted to use the remainder of his career forging personal connections, Goodman said.

“At the end of life, you don’t get to take anything with you,” he said.

Goodman left the public school system in 2018 to work as a financial advisor for Edward Jones. Were he to receive and accept the superintendent position, he plans to leave the financial services firm.

While he enjoyed working in the financial sector, Goodman said he thought investing in the community over the next decade would prove as rewarding as accumulating wealth.

“It’s all about investments,” he said.

Teachers in attendance, many of whom greeted Goodman with hugs, bumped elbows and handshakes, asked for his thoughts on the role of technology in the classroom and the district’s budget. To the latter, he said his two-year absence from the school district meant he could not comment on the system’s finances. As for access to technology, he described it as “critical” for the community.

“I view technology as curriculum,” he said. “Especially for kids from low socio-economic backgrounds.”

Goodman got his start in education teaching for an international program in Kazakhstan in the mid-90s. The Soviet Union had just collapsed and everyone wanted to learn English, he recalled.

He later taught in Idaho Falls and then Circle before coming to Libby.

“I’ve been incredibly blessed in the fact that I have no negative feelings about Kazakhstan, Idaho Falls, Circle or Libby,” he said. “I don’t have one negative memory.”

Officials launched a search for a new superintendent last month after Barringer announced his impending retirement. Having held the top job in Libby since 2014, Barringer plans to take over as a superintendent in Wyoming after the school year concludes.

At the time, Barringer predicted that officials here would have little trouble finding a successor. He described Libby as a “destination” spot for educators.

“We’re quite confident we’ll get some good applicants,” he said.