04/06/2026
Madelia Public School District Announces Superintendent Finalists
The Madelia Public School District is working with the South Central Service Cooperative to recruit a new superintendent. The district received 13 applications for the position. Following a comprehensive review process, pre-interview with the SCSC recruiters, the school board has selected five candidates with diverse leadership experience in education during a Special Board of Education meeting on April 1.
Finalists Include:
Brad Johnson
Johnson currently serves as superintendent at RCW Schools, where he has held the role for two years. He previously served four years as superintendent and PK–6 principal at McGregor Schools, along with 16 years as a principal in Benson Schools at both the elementary and middle school levels. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and has completed a superintendent licensure program. Johnson is licensed as a district superintendent, K–12 principal, and secondary mathematics teacher.
Corinna Erickson
Erickson brings over a decade of administrative experience, including 13 years as a PreK–12 principal at Breckenridge Public Schools. She also served as a principal at Hills-Beaver Creek and has 18 years of classroom teaching experience, including time in Texas. Erickson holds a master’s degree in special education and an educational specialist degree, along with superintendent licensure. She is licensed in administration and special education.
Christina Mattson
Mattson currently serves as a middle school principal in Owatonna and previously worked as an assistant high school principal in Mankato. Her background also includes eight years as a special education teacher. She holds a master’s degree in special education and has completed superintendent and principal licensure programs. Her licensure includes district superintendent, K–12 principal, and special education areas.
Karla Beck
Beck is the current Director of Teaching and Learning at Redwood Area Schools and has prior experience as a principal at multiple levels in St. James and Butterfield-Odin. Earlier in her career, she taught music, including four years in Madelia. She holds a specialist degree in educational leadership and a master’s degree in music education, along with superintendent licensure.
Michelle Mortenson
Mortenson brings extensive superintendent experience, having served in leadership roles in South Dakota and multiple Minnesota districts, including Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart, Renville County West, and Ivanhoe. She holds a doctorate in education and has over 30 years of experience in education, including 14 years as an elementary teacher. She is licensed as a district superintendent and K–12 principal.
The district invites community members, staff, and families to participate in the next phase of the selection process, which will include opportunities to sit in and listen to the interview sessions. At the end of each session, written feedback can be given to the SCSC representative for the Board to review. In addition, there is a closed interview group with representation from staff, parents, and community members who will also provide feedback to the Board of Education.
The public may attend the Board interview sessions that will take place on April 7 in the high school auditorium. If you are attending any of the interviews, please enter through door 1 (use the doorbell) and report to the office to sign in during the first three sessions.
The candidate interview times are as follows:
Michelle Mortensen - 12:30 pm
Corinna Erickson - 1:45 pm
Christina Mattson - 3:00 pm
Brad Johnson - 4:15 pm
Karla Beck - 7:00 pm
A Special Board of Education meeting will begin at 8:15 pm to review the combined community committee feedback forms, complete their own desired characteristics point form and total them. After review of all written input materials, the Board has open discussion about who to invite for a Round Two interview or to offer the position.
