Robbinsdale superintendent semifinalists chosen

Robbinsdale Area Schools has chosen several semifinalists for superintendent.

Interviews will be begin 8 a.m. Saturday, April 6, in the boardroom at the Education Service Center, 4148 Winnetka Ave. N., New Hope. The initial interviews are open to the public and will be recorded, but will not be livestreamed.

Six people were selected as semifinalists:

- Patrick Duffy, director of teaching, learning and leadership, St. Louis Park Public Schools

- Elizabeth Keenan, former superintendent, Special School District of St. Louis County, Missouri

- Timothy McCray, deputy superintendent, Madison Metropolitan School District, Wisconsin

- George Nolan, elementary principal, Hopkins Public Schools

- Bondo Nyembwe, executive director of educational services, Columbia Heights Public Schools

- Noel Schmidt, superintendent, Rock Ridge Public Schools

Marti Voight has been serving as interim superintendent since November. Superintendent David Engstrom officially resigned Sept. 18. Robbinsdale Area Schools hopes to have the new superintendent start no later than July 1.

In November, the board of directors looked at firms seeking to conduct the district’s superintendent search. On Dec. 4, the board picked the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) to lead the search process. In January and February, MSBA worked with stakeholders, students, the community and the board to develop a profile.

MSBA posted the position opening and advertised the vacancy, conducted screening, preliminary verification of references and pre-interviews of recommended applicants. Six candidates were selected from 14 applicants.

After the initial interviews, the board will conduct reference checks and second interviews.

Second interviews will be 5 p.m. Thursday, April 11. People interested in joining second interviews as stakeholders can click here.

The board will then pick a lone finalist and negotiate an employment contract. A new superintendent is expected to sign a contract by the end of April.