CLARA CITY — The MACCRAY School District has selected Adam Holm, executive director of community education with the St. Cloud Area School District, as its new superintendent.

MACCRAY board members selected Holm at a special meeting on March 24, the school announced.

School board members had interviewed six candidates before narrowing the search to two finalists: Holm and Stephanie Ruegemer, elementary principal with Alexandria Public Schools.

“(Holm) has demonstrated through his experience that he is dedicated to the field of education and believes strongly in creating a healthy culture with our students, staff and communities,” said Julie Alsum, MACCRAY School Board chair in announcing the selection. "We believe that Adam has the necessary leadership and communication skills to continue to build on past successes and move our district forward."

Holm has led community education for the St. Cloud Area School District since 2017. His prior roles includes serving as principal for Technical High School and Apollo High School in the district after joining it in 2013. He also served one year previously as principal with the Litchfield School District.

He is expected to begin his role with MACCRAY on July 1. He will succeed Josh Austad. Austad submitted his resignation in December 2024 but said he would continue in his role as superintendent until his contract expired at the end of June.

The MACCRAY School District includes the communities of Clara City, Raymond and Maynard.

School board members launched the search for a new superintendent with assistance from the Minnesota School Boards Association Executive Search Service. Board members identified communication and interpersonal skills, planning and implementation expertise, visible and accessible leadership, community engagement and partnerships, and ethical and transparent leadership as the attributes they sought in a superintendent.

"This opportunity (in the the MACCRAY School District) allows me to work alongside a dedicated team of educators, students, and the community to build a brighter future and ensure every student has the tools and support they need to succeed," Holm stated in announcing his new role.

The school board will be conducting negotiations with Holm and a contract is expected to be approved during the March 31 board meeting, according to the school board chair.