Cobleskill-Richmondville's search for a new superintendent is down to two candidates:
Jefferson Superintendent Carl Mummenthey and David Ziskin, high school principal for the Amsterdam City Schools.
The school board is expected to appoint one of those two on July 7. He will replace Lynn Macan, who announced in January that she'll retire at the end of the school year.
Just a few weeks ago, the board had nine candidates left in the search, and then five.
Special community panels interviewed the five, and highly recommended Mr. Mummenthey and Mr. Ziskin, school board President Bruce Tryon said.
"They asked some tough questions," Mr. Tryon said of the community groups, "and we were glad to have their input and thank them."
The two candidates' resumes are posted on C-R's website for residents to see their backgrounds.
Although Mr. Mummenthey and Mr. Ziskin are from vastly different school districts--Jefferson is a tiny rural school, and Amsterdam is a large city school--the two men share key qualities, Mr. Tryon said.
Those qualities include leadership abilities, building good relationships and creatively maximizing school resources.
"Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, we are looking for a strong, clear and approachable communicator," Mr. Tryon said.
"The board is confident that the two finalists possess these skills and qualifications."
The school board will interview the two candidates once more before making a decision.