District 158 vetting three finalists for superintendent's job

Huntley school officials will vet three finalists for the superintendent's job next week.

The Huntley Community School District 158 school board hired Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates to help with the national search.

Firm representatives hosted two open forums in February for community members to provide feedback. Finalists were narrowed down from a diverse pool of seven candidates who were interviewed in late March, district spokesman Dan Armstrong said.

The school board Thursday night will vote on allowing the firm to spend up to an additional $15,000 for ancillary costs, such as travel expenses and background checks for candidates.

Board members will interview the finalists individually over dinner next week, and a decision is expected by the end of the month.

The board will meet in closed session April 19 to discuss its selection.

Previous Superintendent John Burkey resigned at the end of January to serve as executive director of the Large Unit District Association, a Springfield-based group that represents 53 large unit school districts, including District 158 is a member. Bradley Hawk, former superintendent of Burlington-based Central Unit District 301, is serving as District 158's interim superintendent.