More than 30 apply for Freeman post

More than 30 applicants have expressed interest in the Freeman School District’s top job, district officials said this week.

The rural district south of Spokane Valley is currently accepting applications for the superintendent post, left vacant by outgoing Superintendent Bill Thurston who announced his retirement in December.

The application deadline is March 7, and board members will get an update with an official count of the number of job candidates vying for the job at the March 9 board meeting.

The board hired Education Consultants, a Spokane-based search firm, to conduct a local and national search for the 900-student district that includes the communities of Freeman, Rockford, Valleyford, Mica and Hangman Hills.

The firm will whittle down the final applicants using input provided by the community during two community meetings last month, said board member Kathleen Lundy.

“The community gave us what they wanted, and the brochure was based on those criteria,” Lundy said. “They (Education Consultants) are going to filter the applications through to come up with a top list of people that meet those requirements.”

Another update and a final candidate list will be given to the board at the March 16 board meeting, Lundy said. The interview process will begin after that time.

The district hopes to have a new superintendent in place by April 1.