The Kenedy ISD school board has named two finalists for the position of superintendent of schools.

Interim Superintendent Ann Dixon, who coordinated the search for a new permanent superintendent on behalf of the school district, explained that having two finalists gives the school district more flexibility in the event that a finalist might withdraw his or her application.

The law requires that the name(s) of the finalist or finalists to be posted 21 days before a decision is made to hire the superintendent. Dixon said that sometimes a finalist will withdraw or other problems develop that will require a school board to select another finalist, and when this happens, the 21-day wait begins again, which can cause the process to become long and drawn out.

"The law says you can post as many finalists as you want, so that seems to be more of the trend now," Dixon said. "San Antonio ISD – they posted three and then they had a town hall meeting and had a ‘meet the candidates’ (event)."

The two finalists are Janet LaCour and Galen Privitt. Both are currently employed as assistant superintendents.

LaCour has 30 years of experience in the field of education and holds a doctorate degree from Texas A&M Kingsville. She currently lives in Spring Branch, Texas and is currently employed by the Wimberley Independent School District.

Privitt has been an educator for 25 years. He holds a doctorate degree from the University of Texas in Austin. He currently lives in Wharton, Texas and is employed by the Wharton Independent School District.

Dixon said that there were 42 inquiries and 25 applicants for the position, which gave the board an excellent selection. The field was narrowed to six and these six were interviewed about three weeks ago. The group of six was then narrowed to three and the board intended to name a lone finalist in the next step of the process, but the top two were so well-qualified, they opted to name two finalists.

"These two are just neck and neck," Dixon explained. "I think the comment that everyone of them said was, ‘I can live with either one."

"The board is just working super together," Dixon said as she described the progress of the board’s hiring process so far.

Dixon, who specializes in work as an interim superintendent, never sought the permanent position as superintendent, but had high praise for the current school board.

"As a superintendent…they’ve been a dream board for me," Dixon said.

Dixon said a special meeting will be held on either December 18 or December 19 where the board is expected to choose one of the two finalists for the superintendent’s job.

The choice will be a difficult one, according to Dixon.

"Both of them have strong curriculum backgrounds," Dixon said. "I would say Mr. Privitt is very ‘technical’ and Ms. LaCour is very ‘research based’ – not that either one is better – in fact these (styles) are both great – they are just going to have different leadership styles – both strong, though. I think they understand that, and this board has expressed that – that is what we want. We want a leader."