Glenbard 87 superintendent finalist for Minnesota job

For at least the third time, Glenbard High School District 87 Superintendent Mike Meissen is a finalist as a candidate for the top administrative position at another school district.

Meissen is one of three finalists for the superintendent job at Eden Prairie Schools in Minnesota, according to the school district’s website.

Following interviews with the top five candidates on Wednesday, the Eden Prairie school board narrowed the list down to three. Meissen will return for another round of interviews next Tuesday with the board and community members. The all-day visit also includes meetings with a variety of small groups, and a tour of the district, which is comprised of six elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.

Last month, Meissen was named a finalist for the superintendent jobs at L’Anse Creuse Public Schools in Michigan and Moline School District 40 in the Quad Cities. He withdrew his name from consideration at L’Anse Creuse.

Meissen, who has been with District 87 since 2006, has been searching for a new job following his announcement last August that he would be stepping down from the Glenbard position at the end of the school year. He hasn’t publicly discussed why he’s leaving.

The other two finalists for the Eden Prairie job are Gerald Hill, who is superintendent at Glenview School District 34, and Curt Tryggestad, superintendent at Little Falls Community Schools in Minnesota.

A decision is expected on March 23.

Meanwhile, Meissen’s replacement in District 87 is expected to be officially named at a board meeting Monday. Board members interviewed finalists behind closed doors last month, and contract negotiations with a preferred candidate are now taking place, according to a district-established timeline for the superintendent search.

Unlike the three districts where Meissen has applied, Glenbard hasn’t publicly released the names of its superintendent finalists.

Though the new superintendent will not officially take charge until July 1, school board members have said they want someone selected ahead of time to be involved in upcoming contract negotiations with the teachers union.