MOORHEAD - District 518 Superintendent John Landgaard advanced Saturday in Moorhead Area Public Schools’ superintendent search.
After two-day interviews of five candidates last week, Landgaard was named one of three semifinalists Saturday afternoon.
Landgaard and the other semifinalists - Randi Anderson, Pelican Rapids Schools superintendent; and Brandon Lunak, interim superintendent of Moorhead Area Public Schools since December - will have a second round of interviews beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Probstfield Center for Education, 2410 14th St. S. Those interviews are open to the public.
Landgaard will interview first at 4:05 p.m. Semifinalists will also tour the community and schools and meet with staff and community members throughout the day.
According to a March 24 news release by the Moorhead Area Public Schools, Landgaard has served as Worthington’s superintendent since 2003. Prior to that he was the superintendent in Norwood-Young America School District in Northwood and in Stephen-Argyle Central School District in Stephen. He has also worked as a superintendent/elementary principal, a principal/athletic director and as a teacher. Landgaard earned a business management degree from North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, N.D., a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University, a master’s degree from South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. and a specialist in education administration degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D.
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The release also details Lunak and Anderson’s prior experience and credentials.
Lunak has also served as the assistant superintendent of finance and operations for the Moorhead district.
Anderson was also one of three finalists for the superintendent position in West Fargo, but was recently cut from consideration.
After the interviews last Friday and Saturday, two finalists - Moorhead Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Accountability Melissa Eidsness and Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Public Schools Superintendent Jon Krigen - didn’t advance.
A sixth finalist for the position, former Barnesville teacher and administrator Scott Staska, removed himself from consideration after he was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure stemming from a March 18 incident at a Waite Park convenience store.
