Newport-Mesa Board Postpones Choice on Interim Superintendent
COSTA MESA — The Newport-Mesa Unified School District board Wednesday decided to postpone naming an interim superintendent until next week to give residents an opportunity to voice their opinions about the choice.
But board members said they definitely would choose one of the three candidates they have named, and they warned the audience not to act as a selection committee between now and Tuesday, when the choice will be made.
The three candidates are Wayne Butterbaugh, 71, who has been superintendent of four school districts; Stan Corey, 67, former Irvine Unified superintendent, and Francis Laufenberg, 71, former Long Beach superintendent.
School board member Edward H. Decker said more than 100 people have applied for the permanent superintendent’s job. Officials said the district also will hire an adviser to search for a permanent superintendent.
The current leader, Supt. John W. Nicoll, announced Dec. 26 that he will retire this spring.
At Wednesday’s special meeting, parents told the seven-member panel at Harper Community Center that they want to participate in the search for a superintendent as the district tries to recover from the embezzlement of nearly $4 million by its top financial officer.
Acting school board President Roderick H. MacMillian said the board hopes to have a new chief in place by June.
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