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Prior to the Albert Lea school board meeting on Monday, we saw many people share their concerns on social media that the search for the superintendent was rushed and that they wanted the district to slow down to ensure finding a successful candidate.

We understand the worry and hopes of finding a good candidate after troubles in the past, but having attended the school board meetings where the timeline was discussed, we believe that the district had a fair search that was not only respectful to professional applicants but that at the same time still gave school board members time to consider applicants and make a decision.

The school board met in January to discuss the timeline for the search, walking through each of the elements, along with how much time there should be between each and what the level of community involvement should be.

While applications were accepted, the district sent out a survey that analyzed community priorities for the next superintendent. At the same time, the Minnesota School Boards Association gathered priorities from the board, which were later compared against the survey data from the community.

There was interview training for board members and a review of the applicants before the board selected five finalists to move forward for interviews. That list was narrowed down to three due to two candidates withdrawing for other opportunities.

After interviewing the three candidates, the board narrowed that list down to two finalists, after which those two were brought back in for second interviews.

After the candidates received tours of the district on Monday followed by the second interviews, the board selected one candidate for the position after also considering community stakeholders who were present.

We think the process led by MSBA seemed well thought out and timed and was not rushed. With the influx of superintendents applying for jobs in the area, it was critical not to sit too long and lose a well-qualified candidate to another district.

While searches may have seemed rushed in the past, this time around that was not the case.