Muhlenberg County superintendent announces retirement; board approves early hire and in-house search
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Summary
Superintendent Contessa submitted a written notice of intent to retire effective Dec. 1, 2026; the board accepted the letter, voted to permit an early hire to allow overlap and training, and approved an in-house superintendent selection process led by board designee Bridget Wells.
Superintendent Contessa notified the Muhlenberg County Board of Education of her intent to retire effective Dec. 1, 2026, in a letter read aloud during the board meeting. The letter, read by a board member, said in part: "I am writing to formally share my intent to retire from my position as superintendent of Muhlenberg County Schools, effective 12/01/2026," and stressed a commitment to support a smooth transition.
Board members moved to accept Contessa's letter of intent and to declare the forthcoming vacancy; the motion carried by voice vote. Trustees then voted to permit an early hire for the superintendent position so the incoming leader would have time to train with Contessa before her departure. The board also decided to run the search internally rather than hire an outside search consultant, invoking board policy that gives the board discretion over recruitment methods.
Bridget Wells was appointed by the board as the board designee to lead the selection process and the board approved a timeline for recruitment and screening. The timeline sets a stakeholder and community-input survey beginning Feb. 23, a job posting the same day, screening-committee training and meetings in mid-March, candidate review and phone interviews through mid-April, and board review of screening-committee recommendations from April 17 to May 15. The successful candidate is expected to begin a July 1 contract with transition activities continuing through Contessa's final day on Dec. 1.
Board members emphasized training and confidentiality procedures for the screening committee and said the process will include teachers, a principal, a parent, classified staff and other stakeholders. The board did not disclose candidate names or compensation details at the meeting.
The board's action establishes the selection plan and schedule; next steps include distribution of the stakeholder survey and formation of the screening committee as described in the posted timeline.