Eau Claire (WQOW) - Interviews are being done for the job of Eau Claire superintendent of schools.
The district is looking to replace Dr. Ron Heilmann, who's leaving in July.
On Monday, WQOW News 18 spoke with the search firm about the process. That search firm narrowed the list of candidates from 37 to 6 based on what the board, teachers, and parents have said they wanted in a new superintendent. The names of those six candidates are not being released, but the search firm says the process also hinged on individual and group interviews as well as surveys.
"We did a survey, for the whole community. This was part of our fact gathering. We had, I believe, I want to say 500 and some people responded to that," said Dr. Charlie Kyte, a consultant.
That survey asked people what qualities they'd like to see in the next school leader. WQOW News 18 posed that same question to some residents on Monday. "If we get somebody to take that place who can really focus on where the funding is going, especially the programs that help children develop," says Alicia Ruengr.
Eau Claire educator, Jayne Woodburn, says, "I'm looking for a superintendent who is going to be able to spend some time here and be here for many years, hopefully. We're in really difficult economic times right now and we need someone to help us pull together and move us forward with a vision for the future."
The school board president also weighed in.
"It's been kind of a rough time in Wisconsin for those in education so we certainly want to have someone that can motivate and creating a culture of working together and collaborative experiences with our staff as well," says Eau Claire School Board President Dr. Carol Craig.
The district hired a search firm in the process to find good, qualified candidates and 37 people applied. "We have advertised nationally and we sought out candidates, some applied on their own, others we contacted, we know quite a few people. Now, we are here tonight to bring six candidates to the board," says Kyte.
Dr. Craig says she is proud of the response the position has received. "This is becoming a destination district in relation to education and so I think everyone in Eau Claire can be really proud of the programs that we have and the public schools that we have and the fact that these candidates have chosen to come and say, 'Please consider me, '" says Craig.
The board will hold interviews this week. It should have the field narrowed to two finalists by Thursday. It's possible the names of the two finalists will be released at that time.
Those finalists will come back on July 9th & 10th for a full day of interviews. They will meet with teachers, board members, and there will also be a meeting with members of the public.
The school district does have an interim superintendent in place once Dr. Heilmann leaves next month. Dr. Terry Sheridan will fill that job until someone has been hired.
