A Minnesotan will take the reigns of the Clarinda Community School District this summer. The Daily NonPareil reports Deron Stender, superintendent of the Virginia Minnesota Public Schools, accepted an offer late Tuesday made by the Clarinda school board following a day of meeting with stakeholder groups and a job interview with the board.

Contract details are still being negotiated, but Stender is expected to begin work July 1st. He will replace Paul Honnold. Stender was selected over Gregg Cruickshank, shared superintendent of South Page and Sidney, and Vance Dalzin, a superintendent from Fox Point, Wisconsin.

Clarinda officials announced the names of the three finalists after seven candidates were screened last week by the school board. Finalists were named based on interviews, reference checks and application materials. Formal interviews were held Tuesday, along with meetings with various stakeholder groups and a tour of district facilities.

Stender said his first challenge on the job will be making time to interact with students and staff since the superintendent’s office is not in a classroom building. He also wants teachers to have autonomy in the classroom and use technology to support instruction.

Stender has served as superintendent for the Virginia Minnesota Public School District since 2012. The district has about 1,800 students, nearly twice that of Clarinda, with about a $22 million budget, compared to Clarinda’s roughly $17 million budget..

Prior to interviewing in Clarinda, Stender was one of four finalists for the superintendent position in Ottumwa earlier this month. Honnold, the current Clarinda superintendent, is leaving after 35 years of service in the district. He made a surprise announcement in February about his departure at the end of his 21st year as superintendent.