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Dr. Shon Hocker, Superintendent
Dr. Hocker joined the Coeur d'Alene School District as superintendent in July 2021. Before coming to Coeur d'Alene, Dr. Hocker served as superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools in Dickinson, ND for four years and superintendent of the Big Horn School District in Cowley, Wyoming from 2007 to 2018. In 2016, Dr. Hocker was named Wyoming Superintendent of the Year. From 2004 to 2007, he served as principal of Shelley High School in Shelley, Idaho. Dr. Hocker received his doctorate in educational leadership from Idaho State University in 2016 and a Master of Science from Idaho State University in 1999.
(208) 664-8241 l shon.hocker@cdaschools.org
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Dr. Mike Nelson, Deputy Superintendent
A graduate of Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Dr. Nelson works with district educators to administer current and relevant assessments and regularly reports progress toward district and state goals. Idaho’s 2005 Milken National Educator, Dr. Nelson is responsible for the district’s assessment program and related professional development and works with the district's technology and special education departments to build student awareness and motivation. He holds undergraduate degrees in Spanish, broadcast journalism, curriculum, technology, and administration and a Doctorate of Philosophy in educational leadership from the University of Idaho.
(208) 664-8241 l msnelson@cdaschools.org
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Patty Morrison, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education
Patty Morrison joined the Coeur d'Alene School District in July 2021. Prior to joining the district, Patty was an administrator in the Lakeland School District for 10 years. She served as a school principal, Director of Federal Programs, and administrator of the Lakeland Online Academy for the 2020-21 school year. Morrison attended the University of Idaho, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. A lifelong resident of North Idaho, she lives near Coeur d’Alene with her husband of 30 years. She enjoys reading, learning new things, traveling around the Pacific Northwest, and boating on Lake Coeur d’Alene with her family.
(208) 664-8241 l patty.morrison@cdaschools.org
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Trent Derrick, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education
With 26 years of secondary public education experience, Trent joined the Coeur d'Alene School District in 2022 after serving as principal of Lakeland High School for six years. Prior to becoming Lakeland's principal, he served as assistant principal/athletic director from 2010 to 2016 and assistant principal from 2008 to 2010. He taught chemistry and physics at Lakeland High from 1996 to 2010, preceded by four years of teaching in Boring, Oregon. Trent holds an AA degree from Multnomah University in Portland, OR, a Bachelors degree from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, ID, and a Masters Degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA.
(208) 664-8241 l trent.derrick@cdaschools.org
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Stefany Bales, Director of Community Relations
Stefany joined the district in April 2023, bringing with her 26 years of strategic communications experience. Stefany has held senior level positions in natural resource businesses, higher education, public and government affairs, and as a consultant, including serving both of Idaho’s U.S. Senators Crapo and Risch as North Idaho Regional Director; Executive Director of Communications and Marketing for the University of Idaho; Director of Corporate Communications for Coeur Mining Co.; Vice President of Communications for the Intermountain Forest Association; and Vice President for PacWest Communications. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, internal/external communications, media relations, crisis communication, campaign development, public relations and community outreach, team leadership, and government affairs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Elmira College in Elmira, NY and a Master of Science from the University of Idaho. Stefany has lived in Coeur d’Alene since 1997. (208) 664-8241 | stefany.bales@cdaschools.com
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Seth Denitson, Director of Technology, Safety and Security
Seth has been in the education profession for nearly 20 years as a teacher, an educational technology specialist, and an administrator. Employed by the Coeur d'Alene School District for 10 years, Seth oversees technology operations and instructional technology, collaborating with teachers and administrators to use technology to improve student learning and engagement. He also oversees the district's Safety and Security program, working with staff, local law enforcement, and first responders to ensure safety across the district. Seth holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in Seattle,WA and a Master’s degree from Washington State University in Pullman, WA.
Contact: (208) 664-8241 l sdeniston@cdaschools.org
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Shannon Johnston, Director of Finance
Shannon Johnston joined the Coeur d'Alene School District in January 2022. She previously served as the Director of Finance for the Lakeside Union School District near San Diego, CA. Shannon is a CPA with over seven years of experience in school and governmental accounting and auditing. She also worked as the Business Operations Manager for a charter school in Spring Valley, CA and as an audit manager responsible for planning, performing, and leading financial and compliance audits of school districts and other entities. Shannon holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from San Diego State University. Shannon loves animals, home DIY, running, dirt biking, and camping.
(208) 664-8241 l shannon.johnston@cdaschools.org
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Heather Somers, Director of Federal Programs and Assessments
Heather Somers is the Coeur d'Alene School District's director of federal programs and assessments. Heather served for 11 years as principal and assistant principal at Atlas Elementary. Prior to that, Heather was an elementary school principal and test coordinator in Winnemucca, NV. She has years of experience in managing federal programs such as Title 1 for reading intervention. As the Director of Federal Programs, Heather oversees the coordination of federal projects in elementary and secondary schools. These include advanced learning programs, McKinney-Vento programs, foster, neglected/delinquent populations, Title II - professional development, American Indian education, English as a second language, Title IV, librarians, grants, and 504 processes. She also administers, collects, analyzes, and disaggregates student assessment and program evaluation data and provides feedback to improve the curriculum design and delivery processes, student mastery of the curriculum, and efficacy for general educational programming.
(208) 664-8241 x10047 l hsomers@cdaschools.org
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Frank Maier, Director of Special Education
Frank holds a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies from Cal State University, Fullerton and a Master's degree in Special Education from Claremont Graduate University. He taught middle school and elementary school special day classes and served on several committees regarding special education compliance, instruction, and curriculum. Prior to joining the Coeur d'Alene School District, Frank was a special education coordinator in West Covina, CA and was part of a team that assisted with monitoring, direction, evaluation, supervision, and coordination of the district’s special education program and related services. Frank lives in Coeur d’Alene with his wife and two children.
(208) 664-8241 l fmaier@cdaschools.org
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Eric Davis, Director of Human Resources
Eric Davis has served as the Director of Human Resources since 2021. Eric has extensive human resources experience in both education and private-sector settings. Prior to joining the district, Eric worked as Development Director for a private charter school for 9 years, and as an Employee Relations Manager for a large agribusiness in California’s Central Valley for 12 years. Eric co-owns a company that broadcasts local high school football and college baseball/basketball games with play-by-play commentary over an Internet radio station. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
(208) 664-8241 l eric.davis@cdaschools.org
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Jeff Voeller, Director of Operations
Jeff grew up in Seattle and earned his Bachelor's degree from Western Washington University. After working as the operations manager at a mountaineering youth program in British Columbia, Jeff relocated to the Coeur d’Alene area. Since 2002, he has worked in management and leadership roles for several local companies within the building industry. Jeff brings many translatable skills from the private sector to the public sector to ensure the efficient and safe operation of Coeur d’Alene schools and facilities, along with visioning for future planning. He uses inspirational and collaborative leadership with a focus on creating success for all students. He and his wife live in Hayden with their two boys, who attend schools in the district.
(208) 664-8241 l jvoeller@cdaschools.org
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Keith Orchard, Mental Health Coordinator
Keith began his career as a middle school science and math teacher. He then worked with Idaho Youth Ranch, Child Welfare, and now Coeur d'Alene Public Schools. Keith has a heart for the schools and the community and feels blessed to be able to support students, teachers and families in this capacity. Keith is a Spokane native and grew up on the lakes of North Idaho. He is married to a fantastic school teacher and they have two incredible boys.
(208) 664-8241 l korchard@cdaschools.org
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Leanne Bullamore, BSN, RN - Health Services Coordinator
Leanne has over 26 years of experience in the medical field, including medical billing, office and laboratory management, acute care, and school nursing. Leanne joined the district as a school nurse in 2015 after completing a school nurse certification course at Washington State University where she focused on preventative care and upstream thinking. Leanne holds two associate degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity with a concentration in biblical languages. She has served as President of the School Nurse Organization of Idaho and is currently serving as Treasurer. Leanne enjoys volunteering at summer youth camps and freelancing as a Google Sheets expert. She lives in Coeur d'Alene and loves spending time with her grandchildren, who attend school in the district.
(208) 667-4544 l lbullamore@cdaschools.org
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Katie Graupman, Curriculum Coordinator
Katie has lived and worked in North Idaho most of her life. She taught English, journalism and dual credit with North Idaho College for several years in the Lakeland School District. She was Idaho's 2013 Milken Award winner and holds Bachelor's degrees in English and education and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Idaho. Katie is passionate about providing powerful learning experiences for every student. She lives with her husband and daughter in Coeur d'Alene.
(208) 664-8241 l kgraupman@cdaschools.org
