Manitowoc School Board approves stakeholder interview panel, moves to closed session to interview superintendent candidates

The Manitowoc School District Board of Education voted to accept a stakeholder interview panel selected by a random draw and then convened in closed session under Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(c) to interview candidates for the district superintendent position.

Board members said the panel was drawn randomly by staff and district volunteers, and that the board would not review the full list before notification. The panel vote passed by voice consent; the board then approved a roll-call motion to move into closed session for candidate interviews.

Mike (board member) said, “Corey and I did the random draw this morning,” and indicated he was comfortable with the process. The board moved to accept the panel “as drawn”; a second was recorded and the motion was adopted on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Board staff described the notification plan for people selected for the panel. Lori (staff member) will send three emails the following morning: one congratulating selected panelists with meeting date and time; one informing applicants not selected by the random draw; and one notifying alternates that they may be asked to serve if a selected panelist cannot attend. Those contacted were given a deadline to reply to Lori by 3:00 p.m. Monday to confirm availability. Board members said alternates would be notified by Tuesday or Wednesday if vacancies open for the April 4 interview date referenced in the meeting.

The board then took a separate, roll-call vote to enter closed session for the stated purpose of interviewing and considering candidates for superintendent under Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(c). During that roll call, Mitch Hanson, Keith Shaw and Matthew Spalding recorded affirmative votes; a board member identified as Carrie also voted in favor before the board recessed into closed session. The board chair announced the meeting was closed following the roll call. No further public details about candidates or interview outcomes were disclosed at the time the public meeting record ended.

The action advances the district’s superintendent selection process to the candidate interview stage; the board did not produce a public list of the panel members during the open meeting, and staff will handle notifications and scheduling ahead of the closed interviews.