POLSON — Three candidates for superintendent will visit Polson early next week for a full-day affair that includes meetings with students, faculty, staff, community members and tribal government representatives before a formal board interview that is open to the public from 7:30-9 p.m. at the high school library.

The Polson Board of Education narrowed its list from nine to three on Thursday night and unanimously passed a motion to schedule interviews with Dr. Linda Reksten, Steven York and Kelly Koppinger.

Recruiters Bill and Barbara Dean, of McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., provided board members with a four-candidate short list that included the three educators above and one other, who was eliminated after much discussion and a 4-3 vote.

Koppinger comes from Dickinson Catholic Schools in North Dakota, and was previously a superintendent in Stanley, N.D.

"He was described by the board president at Stanley as 'an incredibly dedicated and loyal individual,'" Bill Dean told the board.

Reksten, who has been the superintendent of Butte S.D. No. 1 for three years, is a graduate of Polson High School, has authored three books and has earned national recognition for her work with minority students, Dean said.

York is working as assistant superintendent in the department of education services in Helena, but spent 19 years as a principal in the Polson School District.

"'He has a rare quality to lead and bring people together' — I heard that at least half-a-dozen times," Dean said. "He has a great passion to work with this school district, help it grow and contribute to this community at large."

Reksten will visit Polson on Monday, York, Tuesday, and Koppinger, Wednesday. More information about the superintendent search is available on the Polson School District's website: http://gateway.polson.k12.mt.us, including an electronic copy of the Stakeholder's Report, which outlines the key characteristics the board is looking for in its next leader. Those qualities were compiled after a number of meetings with students, staff and community members last month.

"Now you need to take paper and turn it into individuals," Barbara Dean told the board.