Marshfield principal eyed as new Merrill superintendent
After an interview process that concluded Monday, Marshfield elementary principal Ted DiStefano rose to the top of the pool of candidates for Merrill's next superintendent of school.
The MAPS board has extended a contact offer to DiStefano, reported board president Bill Jaeger.
Six candidates went through interviews with both the MAPS Board of Education and a 22-member group made up of district staff and community members. DiStefano was the top choice of both the board and the community/staff group, Jaeger said.
"While the board has the ultimate decision, the nice thing about this process is that when the board and the community group did their interviews, Ted was the highest rated candidate by a wide margin," Jaeger said.
While DiStefano doesn't have a great deal of administrative experience, he does possess qualities that interviewers agreed would be assets to the Merrill district.
"He seems a good fit to come to Merrill," Jaeger said. "His limited experience is not a drawback because we have such a strong administrative team in Merrill. Our focal point was to find a leader who can bring the district and the community together, and get the best out of our employees."
The contract has been extended to DiStefano pending negotiations and a site visit. Two Merrill board members will be traveling to Marshfield this week to meet with DiStefano's peers and co-workers, as well as community members.
In addition to serving as principal of Grant Elementary School for the past three years, DiStefano previously served several years as IT director for the Marshfield district.
The target start date for the new superintendent is July 1. Jaeger said if all goes well the contract with DiStefano could be signed as early as the Feb. 8 board meeting.
The MAPS board has extended a contact offer to DiStefano, reported board president Bill Jaeger.
Six candidates went through interviews with both the MAPS Board of Education and a 22-member group made up of district staff and community members. DiStefano was the top choice of both the board and the community/staff group, Jaeger said.
"While the board has the ultimate decision, the nice thing about this process is that when the board and the community group did their interviews, Ted was the highest rated candidate by a wide margin," Jaeger said.
While DiStefano doesn't have a great deal of administrative experience, he does possess qualities that interviewers agreed would be assets to the Merrill district.
"He seems a good fit to come to Merrill," Jaeger said. "His limited experience is not a drawback because we have such a strong administrative team in Merrill. Our focal point was to find a leader who can bring the district and the community together, and get the best out of our employees."
The contract has been extended to DiStefano pending negotiations and a site visit. Two Merrill board members will be traveling to Marshfield this week to meet with DiStefano's peers and co-workers, as well as community members.
In addition to serving as principal of Grant Elementary School for the past three years, DiStefano previously served several years as IT director for the Marshfield district.
The target start date for the new superintendent is July 1. Jaeger said if all goes well the contract with DiStefano could be signed as early as the Feb. 8 board meeting.
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