The search for the new superintendent continues as the Claremont Unified School District calls 2 special meetings to “consider and interview candidates.” The first meeting was Monday morning at 7:30 a.m., the second was Tuesday, May 1, at 2 p.m. at the district office.

CUSD Board President Jeff Stark expressed the district and board are satisfied with the pool of 33 applicants.

“It was really surprising the amount of applicants we received,” he said. “I am very confident in our search firm. The board spent a lot time narrowing down the options based on information we received from the community and I am really confident that we will bring someone good to Claremont.”

Mr. Stark attributes the success of the search to Claremont’s “excellent cabinet and structure of schools,” noting that both the district and community-at-large are attractive to candidates.

“We are very lucky to have the employees at the district that we have,” he said.

Once a candidate is selected, members of the board will visit the candidate’s school district and community to get a more comprehensive understanding of skills and experience. The visit is expected in the next few weeks.

“Ideally all of us will go, but it’s probably not likely given schedules,” Mr. Stark said.

Construction of the new superintendent’s contract has not begun, however, once a candidate is selected, the board will begin the task of drafting a formal offer. Tuesday’s special meeting included a conference with labor negotiators with Mr. Stark and board member Hilary LaConte acting as representatives. No representative will appear on behalf of the superintendent, and no formal action was taken at the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the board of education is Thursday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kirkendall Education Center, 170 W. San Jose Ave. The agenda includes closed session discussion relating to the appointment of the new superintendent. A public comment period will be provided.

—Kathryn Dunn