K-M schools begin search for new superintendent
Kasson-Mantorville school officials have begun the search for a new superintendent following last week’s resignation by Mark Matuska.
Matuska announced Tuesday evening that he would be resigning to accept a new position as principal of Jackson County Central High School. The K-M school board met Friday morning to officially begin the search for a new superintendent beginning with the hiring of an interim superintendent before the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
Board members are anticipating they will be able to approve the hiring of an interim superintendent at their meeting next Monday, August 21.
Board Chair Kent Harfmann said that he contacted the Minnesota School Board Association last Wednesday morning and MSBA officials recommended the district hire an interim to work through the 2023-2024 school year.
“Time is of the essence,” Harfmann said, “as we are so close to the school year.”
The MSBA immediately began looking through their list of possible candidates, he said. Board members were anticipating interviewing interim candidates this week so a decision could be made as soon as possible.
Long term, the board will begin looking for a permanent candidate after the start of the school year. The position will be posted with the MSBA assisting the district n the hiring process. There are other search agencies that could be hired, Harfmann said, but the MSBA provides services for free and they have helped the district in the past. The goal, board members agreed, is to have a candidate selected and contracts worked out as soon as possible in 2024 so the individual would be on board at the start of the next fiscal year.
In approving Matuska’s resignation effective August 22, with the interim starting his or her duties on August 22, there will be a seamless transition for the coming year, Harfmann said.
Matuska resigned his position in Kasson-Mantorville to become the principal of Jackson County Central High School, in western Minnesota. In an email letter sent to K-M staff and parents last week Matuska said “with this move, Suzy and I will be able to share a lot more time with our family members in the area, and I will be able to help provide more assistance to my siblings with care for our parents. I have been so honored to be the KoMet superintendent for the past dozen years but am also excited for this new venture.”
Matuska said his parents live about 15 minutes from Jackson, he has other relatives living there and he and his wife have property in the area.
Matuska has been the superintendent of the Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools since 2011.