The Columbia Falls School District is closer to finding a new superintendent.

The district board of trustees has narrowed a list of 12 applicants to three finalists: Craig Barringer, superintendent of Conrad Public Schools in Conrad; Kim Harding, superintendent of Sheridan Public Schools in Sheridan, Mont.; and Steven Bradshaw, superintendent of Sitka School District in Sitka, Alaska.

Harding also applied for the Kalispell Public Schools superintendent position but was not chosen as a finalist.

For the three Columbia Falls finalists, a meet-and-greet with the community will be 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Columbia Falls Junior High School cafetorium.

Interviews are Jan. 28 in the Columbia Falls High School library. Each interview will last approximately an hour.

Candidates will interview at the following times:

v 4 p.m.: Barringer.

v 5:15 p.m.: Harding.

v 6:30 p.m.: Bradshaw.

The interviews are open to the public.

The salary listed for the position is $105,000 (which is negotiable based on experience) plus benefits.

Michael Nicosia, who is retiring after 19 years as superintendent in Columbia Falls. Nicosia’s last day is June 27.

Columbia Falls School District operates on a budget of approximately $21 million and employs 308 people. Total enrollment is 2,095 students.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.