Ask Riverside Elementary Principal Fran Rodenburg how she's doing.

She'll do you one better than OK.

"I'm pretty excited," Rodenburg said

She was tapped Monday to be the Bismarck Public Schools assistant superintendent of elementary education. Rodenburg was one of five candidates considered for the position vacated by Rick Buresh, who left to be superintendent in Fargo Public Schools. A search committee narrowed it down to two candidates, followed up with interviews Monday and offered her the job, Superintendent Paul Johnson said.

The other candidates were Jason Hornbacher, the principal at Centennial Elementary School and former principal of Will-Moore Elementary School; Laurie Matzke, the state Title I director; Jean Hall, the incoming principal at Myhre Elementary School and the former principal of Prairie Rose Elementary School; and Lynn Wolf, the principal of Moses Elementary School and the former principal of Northridge Elementary School.

Rodenburg was selected because of her background as a principal, and experience in special education and Title I, Johnson said.

"She proved to be very capable," he said.

Special education and federal programs will be part of her responsibilities, and her experience will help her with that. She was a special education teacher for 13 years before becoming principal, and the last four years at Riverside broaden her background with federal programs because it is a schoolwide Title I school, which means it provides enhancement programs to all students, regardless of income.

Rodenburg started her career in Jamestown before coming to the Bismarck school district in 1986. She is a graduate of Moorhead College and has a master's degree from the University of Mary.

The assistant superintendent position pay range is between $85,000 and $105,000, and administrators still need to determine her salary, based on her previous experience, Johnson said.

In the meantime, Rodenburg will start her job Aug. 1. She looks forward to her new position.

"I feel driven to make a difference," she said.

She wants to help close the achievement gap through developing employees' talents, she said.

The district began advertising regionally for the Riverside principal position Tuesday. Rodenburg would like someone who loves children and family.

"It needs to be someone who is a coach and cheerleader, to inspire the staff and help them succeed," she said.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)