COEUR d'ALENE — Coeur d’Alene School District superintendent Matt Handelman has applied for the superintendent position at the Edmonds School District in Washington.

Handelman, who has been superintendent in Coeur d’Alene for two and a half years and has been with the district since 2010, sent a letter to all Coeur d'Alene School District staff Wednesday morning notifying them of his opportunity. He said he had looked at superintendent jobs in other districts, but did not pursue them.

“Those opportunities could not draw me away from our great school district, its people and supportive community,” he wrote.

He said one opportunity, however, did catch his eye. The Edmonds School District, where Handelman started his administrative career 20 years ago as a principal, was hiring.

“It was hard to resist the unique opportunity to come full circle in my career,” he wrote.

Handelman has his first interview with the Edmonds school board on Saturday, along with the other five contestants.

There will be three finalists who will visit the school district in late March to meet staff and administrators. There will also be a public forum then, where community members can meet them, ask questions and give feedback to the district.

“It’s been an honor to be considered,” Handelman said. “I think it speaks volumes for the Coeur d'Alene School District. If it wasn’t a great school district and experiencing great results and providing great opportunities for its educators, they wouldn’t be considering me.”

Even though Handelman is seeking this new job, his work and commitment have not slowed down for the Coeur d'Alene School District.

“I appreciate his candor and continued commitment to the work of our school district while he explores this professional opportunity,” said Christa Hazel, Coeur d’Alene school board chair.

Handelman wanted to make sure people found out about this from him directly. In his letter he said he would keep people “posted” on updates from this process.

At the end of his letter, Handelman wrote: “I remain dedicated to each of you and the Coeur d’Alene School District as your servant leader.”