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Thompson a finalist for Janesville superintendent
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JANESVILLE - New Glarus school district Superintendent Barbara Thompson is one of three finalists to be the new superintendent of Janesville schools.

Thompson and two others were named as finalists Saturday by the Janesville School Board. The board and two committees will interview the finalists Saturday. Then, the board will deliberate and might make its choice the same day, said Steve Salerno, district personnel director, who has been coordinating the process.

The other finalists are Robert F. Jones, superintendent of a school district in Roscommon, Mich.; and Karen Schulte, the current interim superintendent.

The school board met in a closed meeting Saturday to review resumes of six candidates recommended by a search firm. District officials would not reveal the names of the other semifinalists.

The superintendent is expected to take over July 1. If Schulte is not the pick, then it is possible the new superintendent could come in earlier to learn the ropes from Schulte, Salerno said.

A visit to the hometown of the chosen superintendent will be arranged, Salerno said.

The final agreement to hire the superintendent is contingent on a successful site visit, as well as a background check and mutually agreed-to contract details, Chapman said.

If the site visit raises a red flag, the board still could back out, Chapman said. But the candidates know in advance how the process works, so they are motivated to represent themselves honestly, he added.

Thompson has been superintendent in New Glarus since 2003. She has applied for at least four other positions this year.

According to an online application with the search firm obtained by The Monroe Times, Thompson also applied for superintendent positions with the Madison, Clarke County and Rockford (Ill.) school districts. She was employed by Madison Metropolitan schools before being hired in New Glarus.

In her online application, Thompson highlighted her "extensive experience" in analyzing student test date, "extensive training" in innovative instructional programs and researched-based instructional programs, and a history of successful grant writing.

In the application, she said she is "seeking another level of challenge."

- Monroe Time staff contributed to this story.