American Association of School Administrators Candidates for National Office

School Administrator, August, 1995

Current position: superintendent, Libertyville Community High School District 128, Libertyville, Illinois

Education: B.S., Southern Illinois University; M.S., Northern Illinois University; Ed.D., Loyola University of Chicago

AASA activities: 16-year member; member, Delegate Assembly; member, Women's Caucus

Other activities: president-elect, Illinois Association of School Administrators; board member, Illinois Association of School Administrators; member, Illinois Governor's Blue Ribbon Committee on State Funding; adjunct professor, Northern Illinois University

Why are you seeking election?

Currently a void exists in educational leadership at the national level. I am in my 35th year in education, 16 of those as superintendent, 12 in other administrative positions, and seven as a teacher.

I believe that AASA, through its executive director, has the ability to and should play a larger role in national educational policy I would like to be a part of such an effort.

As an Executive Committee member, I will channel my energies to have AASA recognized as a voice for national policy in education; serve as a key resource for any group working in the educational arena; increase the focus on service to the AASA membership; and become a champion for educational change.

Don Hooper

Current position: superintendent, Fort Bend Independent School District, Sugar Land, Texas

Education: B.S., West Texas A&M University; M.S., West Texas A&M University, Ph.D., University of North Texas

AASA activities: 18-year member; member, Delegate Assembly; member, AASA Total Quality Network

Other activities: president, Texas Association of School Administrators; 1995 Texas Superintendent of the Year; adjunct professor, University of North Texas and University of Houston

Why are you seeking election?

AASA needs 21st century leadership to meet the ongoing challenges we face as a profession. I believe I have the vision, professionalism, and integrity that will add up to dynamic leadership for our organization.

We have a proud tradition of progress in AASA. It's a tradition that we must uphold for the futures of not just today's students, but those who will follow in the years to come.

Virgil Likness

Current position: superintendent, Plattsmouth, Neb., Community Schools

Education: B.S., Northern State University; M.S., Northern State University; Ed.S., University of Wyoming; Ed.D., University of South Dakota

AASA activities: 23-year member; former member, Committee on State Associations; member, Pension Portability Task Force; conference presenter

Other activities: state instructional chair, Minnesota computer curriculum committee; member, Impact Aid Construction Task Force; chair, Minnesota High School League Regional Committee

Why are you seeking election?

I believe education is still the key to opportunity and I'd like to continue to be a major positive force for our students.

I am seeking an office on the Executive Committee to be a part of a proactive leadership team that will continue to support education. I believe we as a team need to serve as a catalyst to promote a cohesive network of education partnerships. I believe these partnerships are needed to design strategies to meet head on the challenges posed by our critics and turn these challenges into opportunities for our students.