GIBBON — At a special meeting Tuesday, the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board approved the South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC) of Mankato to lead the search for an interim superintendent.

The decision follows last week’s announcement that GFW Superintendent Dr. Jeff Horton accepted the superintendent position at Southwest Metro Intermediate School District 288 based in Shakopee.

Horton will begin his new job July 1 but will also continue to service as GFW superintendent through July 15 when an interim superintendent is to be hired for a one-year contract.

He will continue to work with GFW in an executive coaching role and as a project manager for a new PreK-12 school building project to open in the fall of 2025, according to a GFW news release.

“We are excited about the direction the district is heading and are grateful to superintendent Horton for his work over the past four years,” said GFW board chairman Dan Merkel.

“The next leader of our district will be instrumental in the success of communities into the future. We are looking forward to continuing our momentum,” he added.

The GFW board is asking district stakeholders to complete a short survey to help them make an informed decision on what skills and focuses the new superintendent should have.

The board plans to advertise, recruit, accept applications and screen candidates through July 5. Board members will confidentially review candidate applications July 8-9.

A special board meeting is set for July 9 for SCSC consultants to present a candidate profile report and recommend candidates for the school board to interview.

On July 11, the school board will interview candidates, consider a board offer or bring back top candidates for a final interview.

The school board meets July 15 to approve a new superintendent contact.

For more information including survey questions, visit https:www.gfwschools.org/page/superintendent-search.