By Jolene Farley
At their meeting Thursday evening Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members narrowed their list of candidates for the superintendent position vacated by Tom Knoll.
The board selected five of 30 applicants to continue through the hiring process. Tentative plans are to interview candidates Saturday, depending on their availability, according to board member Ann Boeve.
She said the board is pleased with both the number and quality of applicants.
"The applicants we have selected are very qualified for the job," Boeve said. "We have to look at each one and see what they have to offer us."
The hiring process could end after one interview if there is one applicant that the board is comfortable with. If none of the candidates meets the board's expectations, the original 30 applications may be re-examined, according to Boeve.
"If one stands out we may offer; if not we will continue through the process to see exactly what direction we want to go," she said.
Ideally, the board would like to have a permanent superintendent in place by Jan. 1, but that may not be practical, she said.
"It all depends on where they are at and when they can come to us."
Educational consultant Darold Williams, Dell Rapids, S.D., stepped in as interim superintendent when Knoll left for the Hayfield school district in July.