Albert Lea school board names five semifinalists for superintendent; approves finalist tours and interview plan

Board Chair Dave Clatt said the Albert Lea Area Schools Board on Thursday selected five semifinalists to interview for the district's superintendent vacancy and approved logistical details for first- and second-round interviews.

The board voted 5-0 to advance five candidates recommended by the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA): Dr. Steven Heil, Mandy Fletcher, Dr. Michael Neubeck, Beth Geese and Dr. Jamie Jo Thompson. MSBA consultant Barb Dorn read the recommended candidates' summary evaluations to the public and outlined the interview and deliberation process the board will use.

"You have an excellent pool," Barb Dorn said as she introduced the MSBA recommendations, noting the district received 14 applications from four states and that eight applicants already have superintendent experience. Dorn said MSBA had conducted preliminary interviews, reference checks and social-media sweeps before making its recommendations.

Why it matters: the board must hire a superintendent who will lead district operations, set instructional priorities and work with the community and staff. The five semifinalists will be interviewed in public, and the board plans to narrow the field to two or three finalists for second-round interviews, community input and reference checks.

What the board decided and how it will proceed - The board accepted MSBA's recommended slate of five semifinalists by a 5-0 vote. Dorn said she will contact the five candidates immediately and that the district will publicly announce the names in a press release. She read the names aloud: "You will be interviewing Dr. Steven Heil, Mandy Fletcher, Dr. Michael Neubeck, Beth Geese, and Dr. Jamie Jo Thompson."

- The board also voted to offer district tours to the finalists. That motion passed unanimously. Dorn explained logistical points for tours, including recommended student greeters, that administrators should lead the tours, and that the district must provide transportation between multiple buildings if candidates visit several sites.

- MSBA explained the interview schedule and scoring method. Dorn said first-round interviews will be held at Brookside Education Center, Room 109, beginning next Wednesday (board members asked to arrive at 9 a.m. so the meeting can be called to order and the EMD—Exceeds/Meets/Disappoints—forms reviewed). MSBA will provide hard-copy EMD scoring sheets for board members and will collect results for deliberations immediately after interviews.

- Dorn reminded the board the motion to offer an employment contract should be contingent on a mutually agreeable contract and a criminal background check "with results acceptable to the board," language MSBA recommends including in any offer. Dorn also described an optional "plan A/plan B" motion that would authorize the chair to extend an offer to an alternate candidate if negotiations with the first choice fail, to avoid delay caused by calling a special meeting.

Discussion highlights Board members said the community survey results and candidates' superintendent experience were important filters in their selections. One board member asked that the two absent trustees be given an opportunity to comment informally about the direction the board is taking, though the voting of semifinalists proceeded with the five members present.

MSBA's description of the applicant pool Dorn said the district received 14 applications from four states, with more than half coming from Minnesota. Of the 14, eight had prior superintendent experience (average 10.3 years), five were female and nine male, and six held doctorates while two others were pursuing one. MSBA said it narrowed the pool through initial screening, pre-interviews, reference checks and social-media reviews.

Next steps MSBA will call the semifinalists and confirm interview times. The board scheduled first-round interviews for next Wednesday at Brookside Education Center, Room 109; Dorn said she will contact candidates and prepare a press release. If any semifinalist withdraws before interviews, Dorn said she would notify the board and the press release would be adjusted. After round one the board plans to select two or three finalists for second-round interviews, stakeholder input and reference checks.

Acknowledgments and housekeeping Dorn thanked district staff (Darcy) for coordinating logistics and said Greg Abbott would join the board for a brief recording at the start of next week's session. The meeting adjourned after the board voted to approve the semifinalists and the tour plan.