School Board to begin search for interim superintendent

Shakopee Valley News

With a new high school academic model on the horizon, the resignation of former district superintendent Rod Thompson and a redrawing of school attendance area lines, the Shakopee School District is certainly in a time of transition. 

Due to this uncertainty, the Shakopee School Board decided Monday to look at an interim superintendent candidate for one to two years before hiring a permanent superintendent.

The length of the contract and search would depend on the candidates.

"This is not the time of year (for superintendents to be job searching) — which does not mean that there aren't qualified candidates out there — but I personally prefer that we have time to do this well and have a thoughtful process," School Board Chairman Scott Swanson said during a board "retreat" Monday. "I think the time and energy we put in it will reflect in the candidates which apply."

Thompson has been under police investigation since May 31 for personal use of his district credit card reported in a Shakopee Valley News investigation.

Board members outlined what traits would be required versus desired in a potential candidate. 

Requirements included possessing a current superintendent license, having integrity, being transparent and working on restoring trust in the district. 

"I would like our next superintendent, both our interim and whatever happens long-term, to instill a culture of trust from the top down," School Board Clerk Shawn Hallett said. "That has to come from us too."

Desired traits included knowledge of the Academy school model, having a good financial background and having gone through some turmoil and come out the other side having learned a lesson. 

"I am personally not interested in someone who just wants to keep a chair warm for a year or the lights on," Swanson said.

Though one year is typically a traditional contract time for an interim position, two years would allow the search to continue until major changes in the district to take place and for newly elected school board members to have some input in the superintendent choice, board member Tony Pass said.

"We won't know if the superintendent is good with the district if we don't give them some time," Pass said.

Should a candidate be interested, the interim superintendent could also be considered for the permanent position.

The appointment would be made by the personnel committee, which is headed by Hallett.

"I think the desired scenario is someone who can come in and bridge significant events in this district rather than switching horses mid-stream," board member Reggie Bowerman said. 

An interim superintendent would require fewer formal steps, Swanson said. 

"We have to give this the right amount of time," Swanson said. 

It all depends on the candidates received, but hopefully the position would be filled before too long, Swanson said.

"We don't need to unnecessarily draw this out," he said.