The Adair Casey and Guthrie Center board of directors and search consultants met recently to screen eight semi-finalists for the shared superintendent position. Superintendent Steve Smith reports three finalists have been invited to the district for formal interviews with the board of directors and district stakeholders on January 23, 2019. Based on their application materials, references and initial interviews the following finalists have been selected:

• Shane Christensen: Mr. Christensen currently serves as a junior high principal in the West Des Moines School District. His prior experience includes teaching, coaching and serving as an assistant principal. Shane graduated from Guthrie Center High School. He has led various successful initiatives in his current role, some of which include project-based learning and district safety planning. He models instructional leadership utilizing the Student Administrative Manager (SAM) model. He is working towards earning his doctorate degree with anticipated completion in May 2019.
• Darren Hanna: Mr. Hanna currently serves as the Director of Elementary Education for Waterloo Schools in Waterloo, IA. His prior experience includes serving as a teacher, middle school principal and director of instruction and technology for Mount Pleasant Schools in Mount Pleasant, IA. Student achievement scores have improved considerably under Darren’s leadership. He is also engaged in the larger community serving on the steering board for the Cedar Valley Readers group and YMCA Academy.
• Dennis McClain: Mr. McClain currently serves as the Superintendent and Elementary Principal for Clay Central Everly Schools. He has served in this role for the past six years where he has created positive change while working through challenging financial events. His prior experience includes serving as the K-12 principal at Stanton and as lead teacher for Clarinda Academy. Dennis is highly active in his community where he supports the local county fair and is active in his church and helped to develop a nature learning center.

Staff from the district, parents, students, and community members will be contacted soon to serve on the formal interview teams. The feedback from the interview teams will advise the school board’s decision to offer a contract to the successful candidate. The new superintendent will begin his duties on July 1, 2019.