Board selects finalists for permanent superintendent

The school board has selected 7 finalists to interview for the district’s permanent superintendent position. The finalists are:

• Edward Bennett, Former Principal, Omaha Central High School, NE
• John Bezek, Principal, Prior Lake High School, MN
• Mike Funk, Superintendent, Albert Lea Area Schools, MN
• Malinda Lansfeldt, Interim Superintendent, Stillwater Area Schools, MN
• Noel Schmidt, Superintendent, Rock Ridge Public Schools, Virginia, MN
• Eric Schneider, Chief Academic Officer, EdIncites, Chanhassen, MN
• Steve Troen, Director of Teaching and Learning, Rosemount-Apple Valley-EaganDistrict 196, Rosemount, MN

The finalists were selected from a pool of 18 applicants based on criteria established by the school board with feedback from the community.

The school board has scheduled interviews for the finalists beginning at 5:30 p.m. on both Monday, March 28 and Tuesday, March 29.

All interviews will be held in the boardroom at the Oak Park Building and are open to the public. Interviews will not be livestreamed, but will be recorded and posted to our website on Wednesday, March 30. 

Second round interviews for the finalists are scheduled for April 7, and the board expects to approve a contract for a permanent superintendent on April 14.