School board invites 3 internal candidates to interview for superintendent position
The three candidates selected to interview for MCS superintendent: (left to right) Widad Luqman, Tom Johns, and Nabil Nagi. The first two photos are Mirror file photos. The third is a MCS staff photo from the district website.
by Sara Swanson
In light of Manchester Community School’s (MCS) superintendent, Steven Head’s resignation due to health announced 2 weeks ago, the school board held a special meeting last Monday evening, July 27 after which they invited three internal candidates to interview for the position of superintendent: Widad Luqman, Tom Johns, and Nabil Nagi. Luqman is principal of Klager Elementary School and Director of the Manchester Early Childhood Center, Johns is principal of Riverside Intermediate School and the district’s Athletic Director, and Nagi is the district’s director of special programs.
Unlike the last superintendent search little more than a year ago which lasted months, involved hiring a search firm, and opened the field to external candidates, opening only to internal candidates means a much a shorter process.
The next step in the search process will began this evening, August 3 as the MCS staff will have the opportunity to participate in a closed question and answer session then provide feedback to the school board.
On Wednesday, August 5, the school board will interview candidates beginning at 5pm in the high school media center. Each candidate will provide a presentation followed by interview questions from the Board of Education. This meeting is open to the public, and the board states in a letter that went out to families, “community members, families, and staff are encouraged to attend.”
On Thursday, August 6, the candidates will participate in a community meet & greet from 6pm to 7:30pm in the high school commons. This is described as an informal event where families and community members will be able to meet each candidate, ask questions, and share feedback with the Board of Education. Children are welcome.
The board has scheduled the selection of the superintendent to take place on Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm in the high school media center.
Until then, MCS chief financial officer, Shannon Cajic, will serve as Interim Superintendent. The board stated that Cajic has been a dedicated member of the Manchester Community Schools administrative team since 2018, serving in a variety of leadership roles throughout her tenure and that she holds the appropriate administrative certification and brings extensive experience. The letter states, “The Board is grateful for her willingness to provide steady leadership during this transition.”
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