By Jolene Farley
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board was updated on the superintendent search at their board meeting Monday evening.
Both Superintendent Tom Knoll and Interim Superintendent Daryl Williams attended the meeting.
Williams asked who the board wanted involved in the permanent superintendent hiring process - community members or just the board.
"I feel for a superintendent it should be the board," said board president Roland Crawford.
"Sometimes you can get too many people involved in the process," Crawford said.
Williams suggested all board members, instead of a committee, be involved in the interviewing process for the candidates.
He was concerned about the timeline of the interviews because they could fall during September or October during the busy harvest season.
But board member Gary Esselink mentioned that board elections are coming up later in the fall. "At least two, maybe three board members may be out, and we may have to acclimate new members," Esselink said.
The position will be advertised in some trade publications and the Argus Leader. In addition, letters announcing the vacancy will be sent to about 100 school districts.
The board hopes to have a new superintendent hired by Jan. 1, 2002, at the latest.
Board members Esselink and Harnack offered a special thanks to Superintendent Tom Knoll for his years of service. "A lot of us feel if it wasn't for the fact he was here, we wouldn't be here," Esselink said.
In other business the board:
Filed for the four Hills-Beaver Creek School Board openings, each a four-year term, begins Aug. 28 and closes Sept. 11.
oFormer Hills-Beaver Creek elementary teacher Chris Louwagie may fill the secondary learning disability position vacated by Angie Wegner, according to Knoll. LouwagieÕs contract for elementary teacher was not renewed this year because of funding issues.
Even though Louwagie is not licensed for special education, a variance could be obtained because the district advertised extensively but was unable to fill the opening.