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Iowa principal offered Parkside post
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MONROE - The Monroe school district has offered a contract to an elementary school principal in Iowa to replace retiring Parkside Elementary School Principal Jim Brunette.

Superintendent Larry Brown said Eric Huinker is the only finalist for the position. Huinker interviewed with the district administrative team last week. He then met with a community group of principals, parents, teachers and school board members, and the school board as a whole Tuesday.

If Huinker accepts the contract, he could be formally approved by the school board during its meeting Monday, Brown said.

Huinker has six years experience as an elementary principal. He also serves as director of elementary education, K-6 curriculum director and district school improvement director for the Benton Community School district in Norway, Iowa.

Brown said there were 30 applicants for the position. Five applicants, including Huinker, were interviewed. None of the applicants are currently employed by the Monroe district. Huinker was the only candidate considered a finalist by the board.

While Huinker has been offered a contract, his salary has not been finalized. The board is negotiating salaries for district administrators, and a decision likely will be made in April, Brown said. Brunette earns about $93,500 annually, Brown said, noting Brunette has considerable experience with the district.

Brunette has been with the district for more than 30 years, and has been principal at Parkside since 1986. He announced in January he would retire at the end of this school year.