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Monroe principal a Juda superintendent finalist
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JUDA - Monroe High School Principal Mark Burandt and Florence School District Superintendent Tom Woznicki are the two finalists to become Juda's superintendent.

Juda Superintendent Gary Scheuerell said a committee made up of school board members, parents and teachers met with six candidates Saturday and narrowed the list to Burandt and Woznicki.

He said the committee expects to meet with the candidates within the next week to 10 days, then make a selection to the Juda school board. Scheuerell said the board plans to make its final decision by May 14.

Scheuerell said the two finalists bring strong credentials to consider.

Burandt has been principal at Monroe High School for five years. Before he came to Monroe, he was an assistant principal for one year in Fond du Lac and was also activities director in the Fond du Lac district from 2002 to 2004; activities director and assistant principal at LaCrescent High School (Minn.) from 1996 to 2002; activities director and teacher at Houston High School (Minn.) from 1987 to 1996; and a teacher at Kenosha Tremper High School in Kenosha from 1986 to 87.

Burandt said he thinks Juda would be a good fit for him.

"I want to be able to lead a district, but I also want to be close with the staff and the community," Burandt said.

The fact the superintendent in Juda is also the school principal will enable him to continue to be close to students, he said.

Burandt announced in February that he was leaving the Monroe School District but didn't specify the reason.

Monroe Superintendent Larry Brown said Burandt has been good for the district and will be missed.

Scheuerell said Woznicki has been the superintendent in Florence for a year. He also has experience as a curriculum coordinator in the Twin Cities and worked with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for a year. Woznicki was a teacher for 10 years at Manitowoc High School.

Woznicki said he liked the small-town, rural atmosphere of Juda.

"Small- to medium-sized districts do the most to educate children," he said.

Plus, Juda has a "beautiful school," Woznicki said.

"I'm very happy to be considered for the job," he said.

Scheuerell, who has been superintendent in Juda for eight years, plans to retire at the end of the school year.

He said he's enjoyed working in Juda, but he's looking forward to retirement.

"This has been a really nice experience," Scheuerell said.