By Sean Whaley, Nevada News Bureau: Fifteen people, eight from within Nevada and seven from out of the state, have applied for the job of state superintendent of public instruction.
Three of the 15 did candidates that applied by a Dec. 30 deadline not meet the statutory requirements for the position, such as having a master’s degree in education or school administration, the Sandoval administration said in an update on the search process.
The 12 eligible applications are now being reviewed and background checks are being conducted. The names of the applicants will not be released until a list of semi-finalists is presented to the state Board of Education at its meeting set for Jan. 26-27.
Keith Rheault, Nevada’s current superintendent who will be retiring in early April, said via email that the state board is scheduled to interview the finalists on Feb. 22 and 23, voting on Feb. 24 on three finalists to forward to Gov. Brian Sandoval for his consideration for a March appointment.
Sandoval wants a new schools chief on board well ahead of the 2013 legislative session.
As a result of education reform legislation approved by the 2011 Legislature, Sandoval now has the authority to appoint the new schools chief. In the past the 10-member Board of Education had the authority to select the superintendent.
The job pays about $121,785 a year plus benefits.
