K-M seeks stakeholder feedback in superintendent search

The latest news in Kasson-Mantorville’s superintendent search is that the district is seeking stakeholder feedback via a stakeholder survey.
The school board contracted with the Minnesota School Boards Association to guide and provide assistance throughout the superintendent search process.
The school board met on Nov. 27 to plan the search. According to a press release distributed by the district, an important part of the search process is gathering stakeholder input for the board to consider as it moves forward in selecting the next superintendent.
An anonymous public survey is available for all stakeholders to fill out before Jan. 7. The survey can be found online at www.komets.k12.mn.us and on the district’s social media pages. The survey is available in English and Spanish and hard copies of the survey in both languages are also available at the district office, any of the school buildings and are also available at several local businesses and churches.
Return completed hard copy surveys to any school building by Jan. 7 so they can be included with the online survey results.
Following the survey deadline of Jan. 7, the school boards association will summarize and provide an overview of the responses for presentation to the school board.
If you’re looking to be further engaged in the superintendent search, you can go online to the district website to view a Q&A with the association about the search. That Q&A will be available on the district website throughout the remainder of the search.
For questions, contact Amy Jordan, the association’s search specialist, via phone at 507-479-9984 or by email at ajordan@mnmsba.org.
The district has been planning the search for a new superintendent since last August when Supt. Mark Matuska resigned his position before the start of the 2023-2024 school year. He left to accept a position as principal of the Jackson County Central High School in southwestern Minnesota. Dr. David Thompson, former superintendent of the Stewartville school district was hired to serve as interim superintendent during the current school year.
Feb. 5, 2024, is the application deadline for candidates. From Feb. 6-13 the MSBA will conduct screening, preliminary verification of references, and pre-interviews of recommended applicants. During that timeframe K-M board members will review the applications and meet on Feb. 13, to determine the finalists, interview questions and procedures.
The board will conduct the first round of interviews on Feb. 15 and 16. On Feb. 28 they will hold a second round of interviews, select a lone finalist, and set the negotiation process. The board is planning on approving the new superintendent’s contract on March 4 with the individual beginning his or her duties on July 1.