Two candidates selected to interview for half-time interim position
The half-time interim superintendent search was the focus of a special meeting of the Butterfield-Odin Public School (B-OPS) School Board on Thursday, August 4 in the school Media Center.
The candidates were presented by Sandy Dunlop, Director of School Board Services for the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA). The B-OPS School Board had earlier engaged the services of the MSBA for the search. These services are being provided pro bono for the school district.
Joining Dunlop in attendance at the meeting were Harold Remme, retired superintendent of New Ulm Public Schools, who works with the South Central Service Cooperative and is also an associate of the MSBA, as well as Gary Lee, Director of Management Services for the MSBA. Dunlop, who is in her 11th year with the MSBA, and Lee, who is in his 7th year with the association, are both former school board members.
Dunlop reviewed application procedures, timeline and applicant information with board members, and also covered interview legal procedures, questions and etiquette.
She noted that seven individuals had initiated the application process, with three candidates completing and submitting applications for the post.
Dunlop and her MSBA team had reviewed the applications, focusing on one candidate.
B-OPS School Board members spent meeting time reading each of the three applications before deciding to interview two of the three candidates. By consensus, board members stated that the third candidate – Candidate B – will be invited to interview if one of the two opts out of the process.
All board members in attendance shared that each of the three candidates are very qualified, and would bring different strengths that would be an asset to the district.
The two candidates to be interviewed are Raymond Arsenault, who is the former Executive Director at East Range Academy in Eveleth and Allen Stoeckman, former Superintendent for the Menahga Public School District.
The remaining timeline to fill the position is as follows:
+ August 15 (special Board meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m.) – Second round of interviews and information presented by B-OPS Board Chair Joel Penner on reference checks.
+ August 15 (regular Board meeting beginning at 7 p.m. – start time backed up one-half hour due to interviews) – Included on agenda is the selection of finalist, and the beginning machinations to determine contract parameters and employment and contract negotiations with the selected School Board committee).
+ August 22 (special Board meeting – target date) – Board approves the employee contract.
+ September 1 (or as soon as possible) – Half-time Interim Superintendent reports to work.
