Superintendent search being reopened

The search for a replacement for retiring Portales Schools Superintendent Randy Fowler will continue.

The Portales schools Board of Education voted 3-2 Wednesday to re-advertise the superintendent position.

Board President Alan Garrett and members Mary Lou Rowley and Rod Savage voted in favor of reopening the search. Vice President Antonio Sanchez Jr. and board member Ynez Rodriguez voted against the motion.

"This is the single most significant decision of the board," Garrett said after the meeting. "We want to make sure we make the best decision."

Garrett said there is not a set date the board plans to name the new superintendent, but it will discuss the matter as early as today.

"We'd like to do it as soon as practical," Garrett said.

On May 20 the board offered the position to Grady schools Superintendent Ted Trice, one of four finalists in the initial search, but Trice declined the offer, saying it was best for he and his family to remain in Grady.

The other three finalists include two of the district's own, David Van Wettering and Henry Montano, and Elida schools Superintendent Jim Daugherty. As of May 21, Daugherty has withdrawn his application for the position.

Garrett declined to say why the board didn't make a selection from the remaining finalists Wednesday night, but says they still remain in the pool of candidates.

"Since the search was never closed, they're still in the pool," Garrett said. The position will remain open until filled, he added.

Van Wettering is director of instruction for Portales schools and has served the district for 21 years.

Montano is the director of federal programs for Portales schools and has worked in education between the school districts of Clovis and Portales for 17 years.