As the "Fast Track" search for a new, permanent school superintendent is drawing toward a conclusion this month, committees from various aspects of the school and overall communities have participated in the interview phase.  But the process isn't complete yet, and resident Pat Conlon presented his concerns to the board in their regular meeting last Monday (9/12).

Mr. Conlon read a prepared statement to the board.  First he asked why the board has not publicized the names of the final three candidates. He noted that with many people participating in the interview process the names are not a closely held secret.

(Editor's Note:  The School Board has requested that the names be withheld during the course of the selection process for two reasons.  First there is a concern that applicants who are not chosen would be in an awkward situation in their current districts if it became known they are thinking of leaving.  Second, because of that the feeling was that keeping the names under wraps would mean that a larger and higher quality pool of applicants would respond to the search.  The Star is honoring the School Board's request so as not to jeopardize the selection process.)

Mr. Conlon stated he had looked into the backgrounds of the applicants and is "appalled at what I have found" when checking on two of the applicants.  He said that the third candidate is the only one with a vested interest in Lansing who would not walk out on the community.  He said he would be willing to share his findings with the board in a private session, and finished with an impassioned plea to select the third.  "By doing so," he said, "you will be making your job much easier."

The board, unable to comment publicly at this phase of the process, accepted a copy of the statement to be included in the official minutes.

When the formal portion of the agenda began School Board President Bonita Lindberg publicly thanked the more than 60 people who have volunteered to be a part of the process.  Participants met for training and to develop questions to be used in the interviews, and then spent a half day interviewing the final three candidates, then shared their findings with the board.

School Board members and Interim Superintendent Tiffany Phillips are optimistic that they will be able to hire one of the three within the next few weeks.

----
v1i9