The Board of Trustees for Coeur d’Alene public schools will interview three candidates for the position of superintendent of the school district.

On Monday the board invited the following candidates to participate in interviews and meetings with stakeholders and the community the week of Jan. 29.

- Trina Caudle, director of secondary education for Coeur d’Alene public schools, a district with 10,600 students. Caudle’s public education career spans 28 years, including positions as a math and science teacher, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. She briefly served as acting superintendent for the Coeur d’Alene School District last year. Prior to returning to her hometown of Coeur d’Alene in 2014, Caudle was assistant superintendent for the Idaho Falls School District. She holds degrees, including a master’s and doctorate, from the University of Idaho, Idaho State University and University of Alaska-Anchorage.

- Steven Cook, deputy superintendent for Douglas County School District (68,000 students) in Castle Rock, Colorado. Cook has spent 29 years in the field of public education, mostly in Kansas. He was a science teacher, assistant principal and principal, as well as assistant superintendent for secondary education of the Douglas County district. He also served as acting superintendent for three months in 2016. Cook has degrees, including a master’s and doctorate, from University of Kansas, Emporia State University and Kansas State University.

- Christopher Hines, deputy superintendent of operations for the Conroe Independent School District (62,000 students) north of Houston, Texas. Hines has 35 years of experience in public education in Texas. He previously served as an English teacher, assistant principal and principal, and was associate superintendent and assistant superintendent for secondary education of the Conroe district. He has degrees, including a master’s and doctorate, from Sam Houston State University, University of Houston and Southwest Texas State University.

The Board worked with executive search firm McPherson & Jacobson to select these candidates from 34 applicants.

“We saw very strong interest from all over the country in leading the Coeur d’Alene district, and now we get to evaluate these three excellent candidates for superintendent,” said Casey Morrisroe, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “We’re making time for the public to meet with them as well. We encourage our patrons to come out and hear from each candidate next week.”

Each candidate will tour the district, meet with stakeholders, take part in a public forum and interview with the trustees. Feedback from participants in stakeholder and community meetings will be reviewed and considered by the Board prior to its decision in February.

Stakeholder groups include teachers, principals, classified employees, district office staff, students, business and civic leaders, and the general public.

The public sessions are scheduled for Jan. 29, 30 and 31 at 5 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. Those who attend will hear from one candidate each evening during a facilitated discussion ending by 6 p.m. Afterward, attendees will be invited to spend a little time offering feedback on what they heard. This input will be provided to the Board to assist in the final selection.

Here is the schedule for the public forums:

Monday, Jan. 29 – Dr. Steven Cook

Tuesday, Jan. 30 – Dr. Christopher Hines

Wednesday, Jan. 31 – Dr. Trina Caudle

The successful candidate will replace Stan Olson, who was named interim superintendent for the 2017-18 school year. Olson joined the district last summer after former superintendent Matt Handelman left to take another position.

For more information, visit the “Superintendent Search Page” on the Coeur d’Alene Public Schools website at https://www.cdaschools.org/superintendentsearch.