Mid-Prairie down to three superintendent candidates

WELLMAN — After a lengthy review process, officials in the Mid-Prairie school district have narrowed down the list of finalists for its next superintendent to three.

“We’ve been looking for strong candidates, obviously, that have talents and experiences and skills and abilities,” School Board President Jeremy Pickard said. “But we were also looking for someone that had a very strong interest in being a part of the community … I think (that) was demonstrated in their excitement for the position and understanding of who we were at Mid-Prairie.”

The first finalist is Matt Leeman, who was associate superintendent at Clear Creek Amana at the time of Mid-Prairie’s announcement. He took over as CCA’s interim superintendent hours later when Joseph E. Brown Sr. resigned from the position to focus on his campaign for state senate.

“(Leeman) has provided oversight of and purchased all district curricular materials, helped develop district budges, and overseen categorical funding for Title I, at-risk, English language learner, and other programs,” a news release from Mid-Prairie said. “He also led efforts to return to in-person learning during the pandemic.”

The second finalist is Brian Stone, currently the principal at Fairfield High School.

“As high school principal in Fairfield CSD, Stone has focused on strong communication with staff, students, and community members while providing monthly updates to board members,” the news release said. “He has also coordinated conferences, worked to implement new professional development initiatives, and provided teacher feedback through classroom visits and walk-throughs.”

Third is Zach Wigle, currently the Solon High School principal.

“(Wigle) has ensured all content areas have a guaranteed and viable curriculum by prioritizing standards,” the release said. “He has also led a group of 55 junior and senior leaders, led a shift to a blended learning model in classrooms, and oversaw the highest ACT composite score in school history.”

The next step in the hiring process is a series of non-public interviews with the school board and stakeholder teams, which will be conducted privately May 9.

While none of the finalists have extensive experience as superintendents, all have administrative credentials as principals and various district director roles, according to the news release. Pickard said he was confident in all three candidates.

“None of these folks are current superintendents, that is an opportunity,” he said. “We’re going to have somebody that is really hungry for the position, really wants to be here, but is humble … our board is not worried or scared about hiring someone who had not been a superintendent before, because we feel like the team around them is very strong.”

Pickard stressed that while the final choice would take the position currently held by Superintendent Mark Schneider, he had come to terms with looking for someone a little different.

“I think it would be completely unfair to a new superintendent to expect them to be Mark Schneider,” he said. “Mark is unique because of his tenure at one location … I need someone who is going to come in and have some of their own skill sets and their own style and their own leadership personality as well, and I need them to be true to themselves when they’re leading the organization.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com