0:17Central to the meeting was the presentation by Barb Dorne from the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA), who outlined the proposed interview schedule and logistics. The board agreed to conduct the first round of interviews with six candidates at Brookside Education Center, room 109, where the public could attend. The second round, scheduled for March 31, would feature three finalists and include input from various stakeholder groups, as previously arranged by the board. This approach was designed to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of each candidate’s potential to lead the district.

The board also debated the logistics of offering tours to candidates during the second round of interviews. These tours, aimed at familiarizing candidates with the district, would involve student representatives acting as greeters while adult administrators conducted the tours. Ultimately, the board moved to approve the tours, with a motion to include student representation as greeters.

Barb Dorne detailed the format, instructing board members on how to welcome candidates and pose questions uniformly to maintain fairness. She reiterated the importance of keeping introductions professional and refraining from sharing personal information that could touch on protected classes. The board members were provided with hard copies of interview questions and rating forms to assess candidates’ responses objectively.

15:10As the board deliberated the candidates, they were encouraged to identify key strengths observed during interviews, focusing on diverse input rather than extensive lists of attributes. This approach was intended to aid in informing candidates who would not progress to the next round. The facilitator clarified that candidates would typically receive interview questions at the beginning of their session, though the board discussed the possibility of providing questions shortly before the interview to help alleviate candidate nervousness.

The MSBA’s vetting process was detailed, with a team of former superintendents and board members evaluating applications based on various criteria, such as letters of recommendation and alignment with the board’s leadership profile. Candidates were scored on a scale, and a social media sweep contributed to the assessment process. Out of 14 applicants from four states, the MSBA recommended five candidates: D, E, K, L, and N, after conducting reference checks. Each candidate brought unique experiences and qualifications to the table, with several noted for their educational leadership and commitment to community engagement.

28:46The board conducted a straw poll to gauge preferences among candidates, resulting in a unanimous decision to interview candidates D, E, K, L, and N. This selection process emphasized the importance of superintendent experience and alignment with community expectations. Although there was some debate about including additional candidates, the board ultimately decided to proceed with the original motion.