District Administrators

Superintendent - Dr. Lonnie Barber

Dr. Lonnie Barber has served public education for the past 18 years.  He was hired in 2007 to train under Superintendent Dr. Lewis as Assistant Superintendent and to take over the superintendency when Dr. Lewis retired, which he did in the summer of 2009.  He comes to our School District from the Caldwell School District, where he served as a teacher, principal and superintendent.  Dr. Barber graduated from Boise State University, where he also earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  He received his Educational Specialist in Leadership from the University of Idaho in 1997 and received his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Idaho in 1999.

Director of Curriculum and Dual Language Learners - Matt Murray

Matt Murray is a graduate of Harvard University, possesses advanced degrees in literature, taught college literature and writing, and worked as a professional writer before turning to K-12 education. He has taught at nearly every grade level from kindergarten through eighth grade, and has been a K-8th grade administrator in both large urban and small rural districts in California over the past several years.

Director of Student Services - Debi Gutknecht

Debi Gutknecht has been a member of the Blaine County School District since 1997. She moved to Bellevue after living in Las Vegas, Nevada for twenty-seven years, where she was a special education teacher. In Blaine County, Debi continued her work in that area with special emphasis in the Reading Clinic at Hailey Elementary. She has also served as a BCSD Summer School Principal and Cognitive Coach, and a nation-wide presenter for Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes. Debi received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Elementary Education and Special Education, a Master’s Degree from Lesley College, and an Education Specialist Degree from the University of Idaho.

Director of Human Resources - Katie Palmer

Katie Palmer began her work with the Blaine County School District in 1984 as the payroll clerk.  Now the Human Resources Director, she has dedicated over twenty-two years to the District.  Along with her national certification in human resources, she specializes in educational law, investigations, and conflict resolution.

Business Manager - Mike Chatterton

Mike Chatterton has been with our School District for twenty years.  He received his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Idaho State University in 1983.  He began his career as an accountant with the Shoshone-Bannock tribe.  In March of 1985 he accepted the position of Accountant for the Pocatello School District.  Mike joined the Blaine County School District as their Business Manager in November of 1987.  Mike has served on many community boards in his career, and was most recently elected as President of the Idaho Association of School Business Officials, a post he has held twice before since joining the Association in 1985.  He is on the Board of the Education Foundation and served as their Treasurer from the founding of the Foundation in 1993 until 1998.

Directory of Technology, Testing and Database
Management - Dr. Jerry Hutchins

Dr. Jerry Hutchins joined our School District in 2001 with the mission to create a system to support data driven decision making.  He received his Ph.D. in 1977 from Ohio State University.  Dr. Hutchins has more than 25 years of experience in conducting research,  managing technology, directing student testing programs, and university teaching.  He has done research, managed computers, and taught at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.  At Transylvania University he managed computer labs and conducted institutional research.  Dr. Hutchins directed the student testing program, conducted research, ran selection systems for school magnet programs, and redrew school boundaries to improve ethnic diversity for Fayette County Schools in Lexington, Kentucky.  He has also worked in private enterprise, conducting research for Huntington Bankshares and Humana Corporation.

Director of Buildings and Grounds - Howard Royal

Howard Royal began his work with the School District in October of 2006.  He brings 25 years of experience in the construction field to his department.  Howie worked as a field electrician for 15 years, and he was a supervisor for 10 years.  He graduated from Carey High School and continues to reside in Carey with his family.

Director of Transportation - Rex Squires

Rex has been involved with student transportation since 1985.  As Transportation Director since 1993, he draws upon past experience as a bus driver, driver trainer, dispatcher, and district liaison.  Rex received recognition in 2000 as Idaho’s first Certified Director of Pupil Transportation as determined by the National Association of Pupil Transportation.  He has served the Idaho Association of Pupil Transportation as Board Member, Vice President, and President.  Rex graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boise State University.