One of the four finalists in the running for Albert Lea superintendent withdrew his name from consideration.

Albert Lea school board chairman Bill Leland said he spoke Friday with John Chalstrom, superintendent for the school district in Cherokee, Iowa, and confirmed he no longer sought the position. The superintendent job opens after Superintendent David Prescott retires June 30.

Brian Boettcher, the superintendent-search consultant with Mankato-based BKB Associates, said Chalstrom withdrew his name because the timing wasn’t right.

“He thought it over and decided that for family and other personal reasons he wasn’t able to make the commitment now,” Boettcher said.

Boettcher said that Chalstrom also mentioned he didn’t want to take on the conditions the Albert Lea School District faces.

The move leaves three candidates in the running for head of Albert Lea Area Schools.

The superintendent hiring process is open to the public. The next meetings with the superintendent finalists will be 9 a.m. Wednesday and 2 p.m. Thursday at the Board Room inside the Brookside Education Center.