Nick Cardenas, board president, declined to identify or comment on the finalist until 11 a.m. this (Wednesday) morning when trustees will meet to make the announcement.
The release of the name doesn’t mean the candidate is hired yet.
Cardenas said that the district must wait 21 days before hiring, during which time the district can negotiate salary and benefits.
Applicants for the position came from the recommendation of a consulting firm hired by the district in February, the same month the board formally accepted Hardwick’s resignation.
Hardwick said that he intends to stay in Beeville after his last day with the district.
“...I want to spend more time with my kids and my grandkids, helping them with their homework and putting them to bed at night,” he said as his reason for leaving.
The search for Hardwick’s replacement has taken four months and included several meetings in Beeville to hear what residents and teachers wanted in a superintendent.
The employees said they wanted someone who has an open mind, someone who is accessible, someone who is down to earth, who can get down to other people’s level and someone who is visible in the district and community.
Other comments included a desire to see a superintendent who is not political, who is honest and compassionate, a fiscal conservative and someone who is not afraid to stand up to the school board.
From those comments, and many more, the list of applicants was narrowed to five.
“We did all the interviews last Thursday and Friday,” Cardenas said. “We grilled each for about three hours.”
From that, they narrowed the list to one; however, Cardenas declined to release the name Tuesday afternoon.
“I can’t tell you until Wednesday morning,” he said. “Then it will be public record.”
Jason Collins is the editor at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 121, or at editor@mySouTex.com.
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