Schmidt and Bergquist were two of the three superintendent finalists selected after the initial round of interviews held on March 7. After the first round of interviews, the school board originally planned to bring two candidates back for final reviews. The school board and community panel overwhelmingly agreed to bring back Beacon Academy Supt. Sean Koster for a second interview, but were split between Bergquist and Schmit.

The community board strongly favored Schmidt with 10 members voting yes. Only three of the school board members were a strong yes for Schmidt.

The community board was evenly divided on Bergquist, with six voting yes and six voting no. The school board voted five yes and two maybe votes for Bergquist.

Based on the split the board agreed to interview three candidates.

Staff photos by Clay Schuldt School superintendent candidate Barry Schmidt answers questions in an interview with the District 88 school board on Monday.

On Monday, Bergquist and Schmit took turns meeting with district cabinet members, and community members in addition to a second interview with the school board.

During the interview with the board, the candidates were asked about how they obtained input for decision-making.

“I think you have to work together to make good decisions for students and staff,” Bergquist said. His goal is to make the best decision for students and staff, but acknowledge he was not afraid to admit when he was wrong. He described himself as a team player and was not a top-down type of leader.

Schmidt was against rushing to make a decision as it could create problems. When a staff has a problem, he would prefer the bring a solution to the problem.

In communicating with the public, Bergquist wanted to be proactive in using social media to spread information about the school. He had previous experience making videos for social media to explain school policy.

Schmidt said there was value in using social media posts. His current district tries to time informational posts before and after school lets out as it is the time parents are most likely to check.

He also believed it was important to use newspapers for those who feel more comfortable with traditional media.

The board also asked the candidates how they would approach misinformation spread in the community.

Bergquist said he would want to have a sit-down meeting with a person spreading misinformation, but he would also be willing to create a video to quell inaccurate rumors.

Schmidt said the best way to approach misinformation was to share positive things being done in the district and back it up with data and facts. He believed the best way to win people over was with kindness. Schmidt wanted to avoid having fights with individuals online. He acknowledged that rumors can travel fast, and it was impossible to stay ahead of all of them.

“Let’s be professional and let’s make sure we do what is right and share that information,” Schmidt said.

In communicating with the press, Schmidt said in the perfect world the news can help promote the good things done in a district. Schmidt’s said it is important to have a good relationship with the media and encourage them to call to make sure information is correct.

Schmidt said it is important, to be honest with the press and share what is happening with the public.

“The media is not always positive, but that’s okay,” he said.

Bergquist said in communicating with media the most important thing is to have it printed accurately.

“I will always defend the school district, students and staff,” he said. “I do like to work with the media… but I expect it to be printed accurately.”

During the community meetings school counselor, Ryan Ziemer asked both candidates how responsive the school should be to community pressure on curriculum, policy and procedures.

Schmidt said it is great to have feedback. He said at his current district, feedback helped the district define equity. It also helps the district shape its program by finding what families wanted in career paths.

Bergquist said he was willing to sit down and hear feedback from parents, but said it was ultimately up to the curriculum team to decide what course to take. He believed many of the conflicts with parents and the public over curriculum are due to misconceptions.

“Parents don’t always know the facts and it is our job to inform them correctly with all the information we have,” Bergquist said.

Both candidates applauded the board’s work on equity and conclusion.

“I am a firm believer that all students, no matter who they are, should have the opportunity to learn and we have to provide that.”

Bergquist said he personally saw the value of equity education. He grew up in a low-income family, raised by a single mother. Bergquist said as a child he was on the free and reduced lunch program. Bergquist also worked for 10 years in a district with a high Chicano population. He already speaks some Spanish and is hoping to become fluent in the language.

“Those families of those kids want what every other family wants,” he said, “their kids to be successful in whatever they choose.”

Schmidt said that anytime equity is discussed it is important that everyone believed that students can learn at a high level.

“We need to make sure every student has an opportunity to grow and be successful,” he said. Schmidt added that equity is an ongoing thing the school works on every year. It needs to be part of the classroom.

Schmidt said staff understands that all students should be treated with kindness and growth, but acknowledged words like equity and inclusion sometimes worry parents. He said it was important to make sure these terms are defined.

On possible improvements to the district, Bergquist said the Career and Technical Education program needed to be promoted more.

“That’s the way of the future,” he said. “We have to make sure we give our students opportunities to take those classes.”

Schmidt said many schools had struggled with MCA scores. Many have gone down in the states. He wanted to take time to study the issue before making changes. By immediately making changes he worried the district could make the problem worse.

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The district will continue with superintendent interviews Tuesday. The community session with Sean Koster will begin at 4:15 p.m. at the High School Auditorium. The school board interview with Koster will start at 5:30 p.m.