When he saw the online posting for a new principal for Orono Intermediate School, Scott Alger knew the time was right to throw his name into the ring.

"I had been thinking about the next step in my career," he said. "And about that time was when I saw the posting for Orono."

It wasn't the first time an opportunity called to him.

Alger recalled seeing a posting for a teacher position within the district a few years earlier.

"I hand-delivered an application for the opening, but by the time I'd seen the online posting for it, the position had already been filled," he said.

The second time around, however, was the right match for educator and district.

On July 1 Alger will take the reins of OIS from Paula Martin, who is retiring.

"Scott brings to us skills that are far beyond what one could hope for in an elementary principal," Superintendent Karen Orcutt said. "We are particularly energized by his impressive work in curriculum and accountability. He will make an outstanding addition to our administrative team as we progress with our continuous improvement efforts."

While his new position hasn't yet begun, Alger is kind of "operating in two worlds," he said.

"I'm trying to wrap things up and leave [Watertown-Mayer] in a good position," he said. "But I also know that Orono has a lot going on and there's a lot to take in there as well."

Alger said that district officials have already given him a number of opportunities to meet with staff members, adding that Martin has also offered advice and information about the district to him.

But the learning won't stop there. In August Alger will meet with a professor from the University of St. Thomas to get up to speed on the district's Q-Comp program and will also meet with interested staff members to establish goals and objectives for the upcoming school year.

"They're all really engaged in their work and very professional," Alger said of the Orono staffers he's met so far.

Alger's path to Orono started with an elementary education degree from Moorhead State University, which led to his first teaching position in Warroad, Minn.

After one year there, Alger relocated to the Watertown-Mayer district, primarily so he could continue his own education.

In addition to his undergraduate degree, Alger also holds a master's degree in teacher leadership from the University of Minnesota and is well on his way to his doctorate in educational administration, which will also be from the U of M.

Since starting at Watertown-Mayer in 1995, Alger has held a number of positions. He taught eighth-grade Earth science and served as dean of students and principal at Watertown-Mayer Middle School. Currently he serves as that district's Director of Teaching and Learning.

"I believe that the Orono School District is on track for success on many levels and I want to be part of that effort," Alger said. "And I'm looking forward to being a part of that success."

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