4 Named As Finalists For Stillwater Schools Superintendent Job

STILLWATER, MN — Four school administrators remain in the running to be named the next permanent superintendent of Stillwater Area Public Schools.

The district’s board narrowed down its shortlist after conducting public interviews with seven candidates Monday and Tuesday. The district received 18 applications for the position.

Interim Superintendent Malina Lansfeldt, who has served as SAPS’ interim superintendent since 2020, is one of four applicants named as finalists Tuesday by the district.

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The shortlist also includes Albert Lea Area Schools Superintendent Mike Funk; Rock Ridge Public Schools Superintendent Noel Schmidt; and Steve Troen, director of teaching and learning for Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan District 196.

The board is scheduled to conduct a second round of public interviews with the four finalists at 5:30 p.m. April 7 at the Oak Park Building, 6355 Osman Ave N. in Stillwater. The interviews will not be livestreamed, but they will be recorded and posted to the district’s website or YouTube channel.

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The three candidates who did not make the shortlist after being interviewed are Prior Lake High School Principal John Bezek; former Omaha Central High School Principal Edward Bennett; and Eric Schneider, chief academic officer for EdIncites.

The Stillwater Area Public Schools system is looking for its first permanent superintendent since former schools chief Denise Pontrelli's departure in June 2020. Lansfeldt took over as interim superintendent on a one-year contract, which was later extended.

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