Lake Wales Charter Schools trustees reviewed the superintendent search timeline during the May 29 work session and confirmed next steps: one-on-one finalist interviews, a public meet-and-greet, and two June meetings for selection and contract approval.

The board said HR received candidate applications through the HR portal and that the search committee completed initial scoring and identified the top 10 applicants. The board requested video responses from those top 10, received responses by May 2, and at a special meeting on May 14 narrowed the field to five finalists and scheduled in-person interviews for the week of May 26 at First Baptist Church. Trustees arranged a community meet-and-greet at the Lake Wales Arts Center; attendance was invited for the evening session.

Why it matters: The superintendent hire will shape district leadership and the 2025–26 school-year plans, including budget and compensation decisions.

Process details and confidentiality: Trustees will conduct one-on-one finalist interviews on the planned interview day and use an HR-provided scoring sheet to rate responses to three standardized questions the board selected during the work session. Counsel and staff reminded trustees to keep the interview questions confidential to preserve integrity of the process. The board set a special meeting for June 5 to select a finalist and start contract negotiations and a June 16 meeting to approve the contract.

A candidate withdrawal: The board chair notified trustees that applicant number 18, Dr. Melissa Coleman, withdrew her application.

Discussion vs. decision: The work session discussion established procedures and dates but did not itself select a superintendent; the board scheduled formal selection and contract approval for the June special meeting and the June 16 board meeting.

What’s next: Trustees will hold one-on-one interviews with the five finalists on the scheduled interview day, use scoring forms provided by HR, then meet June 5 to consider selections and June 16 to approve a contract if terms are settled.