By KAREN PARKER
County Line Publisher Emeritus
It doesn’t seem to be the ideal time to change school superintendents, but nevertheless, the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School Board continues its quest to replace Superintendent Kelly Burhop, who set his retirement for the end of June earlier this year.
According to board president Kurt Radke, the district reviewed the applicants of 17 candidates for the job, and after a virtual meeting on Monday evening, narrowed it down to seven.
Burhop told the County Line on Tuesday the board has been advised by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) that interviews would need to be held remotely. Interviews would likely be held next week, but how many candidates will even respond is at issue. So far, no one has withdrawn his or her application. WASB is assisting the board with the superintendent search.
School continues
Despite all of the chaos, learning and lunch still continue. Burhop said the district is delivering 287 meal packages (breakfast and lunch) with the help of 10 volunteers. Support staff will continue to be paid through the end of the school year.
Teachers, he said, have done a “great job” preparing learning packets for students and will continue to provide online learning as well as work with students who do not have the technology to learn at home.
Where students will be in the fall is an open question. Burhop does not expect school will reconvene this year.
“A lot depends on the student and how hard they work at keeping up,” he said.