USD 234 board narrows superintendent finalists

USD 234 Board of Education members met with Doug Moeckell of the Kansas Association of School Boards in a special meeting Wednesday night to discuss the applicants for the district's superintendent position and narrow down finalists.

Three finalists were chosen and notified after last night's meeting. Interviews will be conducted next week.

The first finalist to be interviewed will be Paul Dorathy, who is currently the superintendent for USD 348 in Baldwin City, Kan. Dorathy has been the superintendent for that district for five years, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Fort Scott High School Principal Bob Beckham will be the second person interviewed for the position. Beckham has been a teacher and in the education system for more than 25 years.

The third finalist and final interviewee will be Diane Gross. Gross is currently the deputy superintendent for USD 480 in Liberal. She has been with USD 480 for a little more than a year.

Prior to that, she was the assistant superintendent for USD 261 for nine years, according to her LinkedIn profile.

School board President Janet Braun said the two out-of-town finalists will spend the entire day of the interview touring the community.

"We want them to become familiar with the district and the town," Braun said.

KASB received 14 applications for the position, which closed on April 2.

The week of April 16, board members will make a decision about who will replace Superintendent Rick Werling when his contract ends June 30. Werling announced his retirement at the Feb. 13 board meeting. After a contract is finalized with the new superintendent, the media will be notified.