Applicants line up to lead Schalmont

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Goot

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A dozen candidates are in the running to replace retiring Schalmont Superintendent Valerie Kelsey.

The district received 34 applications by the Sept. 4 deadline and the Board of Education narrowed that to a group of 12 semifinalists it will begin interviewing this week, according to board President Sandra Beloncik.

All but one of the initial applicants were from New York state and had the necessary experience the board sought.

“They’re either a sitting superintendent or an assistant superintendent throughout the state,” she said.

The board will narrow the candidates and have community groups interview finalists on Oct. 9, 10 and 11. It hopes to name Kelsey’s successor by the first meeting in November and that person would start in the new year.

Kelsey announced in June that she would retire at the end of December after more than eight years at the helm of the district.

School officials said they are looking for somebody who can continue the strong academic programs the district has developed and sense of collaboration among the staff and community. They are also looking for somebody with financial expertise, as budgets are likely going to continue to be tight for the foreseeable future.

Beloncik said the exact salary for the new superintendent has not been set but it would be comparable to other superintendents of similar-sized districts.