FRESNO (KMJ) — With the new school year fast approaching, Fresno Unified School Board President Brooke Ashjian says there is no rush to find a new superintendent before the kids go back to class.
“We’re in a rush to do the right thing,” reveals Ashjian. “To make the right pick, but we’re in no rush to fill that seat.”
The search to find someone new to take on the top job began following the departure of Superintendent Michael Hanson, whose final day in the role was February 1st 2017. He originally intended to remain in place until August 2017, but his time in office ended early following a board decision (click here to read more).
“We’ve narrowed it down to less than 10 candidates, and we’re going to have the community come in and they’re going to be interviewing them and giving their recommendations and then the board is going to meet and we’re going to try to narrow it down to a few less,” explains Brooke Ashjian.
“Then hopefully in a couple of weeks we have a new superintendent.”
The candidates are described as being from “all over the place” with “impressive credentials.”
In the absence of a permanent superintendent, an interim superintendent has been in place. Bob Nelson currently holds that role, but Ashjian did not specify whether or not Nelson has put himself forward for the position.
“I would rather not say whose on the list, and whose not on the list, but I can tell you that Bob is an outstanding individual.
“He’s been an excellent superintendent and if he was not on that list it would be a very big shock to me.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
