Albert Lea Area Schools Superintendent Mike Funk has been named as one of three finalists for a superintendent position in Elk River.

The Independent School District 728 School Board narrowed the list after interviews with six candidates Tuesday and Wednesday.

Moving ahead to the next phase of the interview process with Funk are William Gronseth, superintendent of Duluth Public Schools; and Daniel Bittman, superintendent of Sauk Rapids-Rice School District.

Each candidate will next go through several interviews, including meetings with board members, staff, students and community members.

Funk, who has been the superintendent in Albert Lea since 2009, will be interviewed on Monday, Gronseth on Wednesday and Bittman on Thursday.

The Elk River superintendent position opened last June with the retirement of Mark Bezek.

Bruce Watkins has been serving as the interim superintendent of ISD 728. He will complete his services June 30.

Independent School District 728 is the eighth largest district in Minnesota and serves the Wright County communities of St. Michael, Otsego, Rogers, Zimmerman and Elk River, among others.