KTVA – Friday it came out that you may be leaving because of family issues. The following day it came out about Des Moines. Is that a coincidence?

Jim Browder – No

KTVA – Can you explain that a little bit?

Jim Browder – Sure. I was contacted and expressed an interest after being asked if I would consider the Des Moines system because of the health issues in my family in Atlanta. I said yes, talked to the board about it, and explained to them what happened next.

KTVA – How effective can you be as a superintendent if you are looking for other jobs?

Jim Browder - Superintendents look for jobs. I had no intention of doing that coming in, and something changed in my life that made me say ‘okay maybe I should consider this.' I'm still superintendent of schools, and responsible to this community, and will continue to do that. So my effectiveness is just as it was. Nothing's changed except I’m going to interview for a job.

KTVA – And you’ve done this in the past. You did this a couple years ago?

Jim Browder – No. I interviewed for… I was in the top three in Vegas. I was offered another job, and I withdrew, and took that other job.

KTVA – This new job pays a quarter-million dollars a year. Does that have anything to do with it?

Jim Browder – Absolutely not.

KTVA - Do you owe the taxpayers money?

Jim Browder - Absolutely not. I've worked real hard in this community to do the things that I've done, to work with our board, and our teachers, and our senior staff here to provide a quality experience for children.

KTVA – So you don’t owe Anchorage taxpayers anything?

Jim Browder - I owe them a debt in relation to what they're providing us... the support for children in the community. I work every day and will continue to work every day.

Reporter – The school board... it cost $54,000 on the agency to find a superintendent. It seems like a fixed cost. Now they are not going to see it. You’re making cuts that are school board. So you have 54 grand that could have been used to hire those eight new teachers. Don’t you find that a little ironic?

Jim Browder – First of all, I am not going anywhere. First of all, you are making the assumption that I am leaving. That is not the truth at this point. I am going to talk to somebody else, but if I get the job, or don’t get the job I will still be working here every day doing my job as superintend of schools in this community.