UPDATED: District 197 Superintendent Announced as Finalist for Farmington Area Schools

Farmington is apparently looking pretty attractive to Mendota Heights leadership these days. Farmington Area Public Schools has announced that Jay Haugen, District 197 superintendent, is one of four finalists for the head of their District 192.

The announcement came less than a week after the city of Farmington announced that Mendota Heights City Administrator is a finalist for the administrator position also open in that city.

Haugen is a Mendota Heights resident who has been with ISD 197 since 2006.  

“Farmington is a district a bit larger than the one I’m currently in, and it’s a growing district and a strong district,” said Haugen. He applied late last week after being contact a number of times by Farmington’s search consultant, Ken La Croix, who he said is someone “I know and trust.”

“There really isn’t more to it than that,” said Haugen. “It’s a personal decision to test those waters.”

"Definitely surprised," was how School Board Chair Robin Rainford described her reaction. "Jay is a very hard worker and he is heart and soul into what we’re work on. You always think that you’ll go forward together, but then people have their own direction too."

The West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District is winding up a difficult budgeting process for the 2011-2012 school year, but Haugen said the difficulties facing the district play no part in his decision to explore other options.

“There’s really nothing else to it,” said Haugen. “Budget difficulties … well that would be pretty much every superintendent in the state. … I don’t think any superintendent makes a decision on that.”

He called District 197 a “terrific place” with a lot of exciting things in its future.

First interviews of the candidates will be conducted June 22 and 23, according to Farmington Area Public Schools. Candidates who make the cut will be called in for full-day interviews June 28 and 29 after which they expect to offer the position to their top choice.