MAS School Board Announces Superintendent Finalists

Minnewaska Area School Board Announces Superintendent Finalists
On Tuesday, March 31, the Minnewaska Area School Board held a special meeting to select finalists for the Superintendent position. Current Superintendent Chip Rankin has accepted the superintendent position with Brainerd Public Schools, effective July 1, 2026.

The board conducted the search in partnership with the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA). There were 14 applicants for the position.

Following significant deliberation, the board announced five finalists to be interviewed for the position. The finalists are listed alphabetically:
• Eric Koep, former Superintendent Bertha-Hewitt Public School
• Michael Pagel, Superintendent Fulda Public School
• Scott Lempka, Superintendent Lac qui Parle Valley Schools
• Logan Swann, Superintendent Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart Schools
• Jeff Wilson, Superintendent Underwood School District

The finalists will participate in formal interviews on Tuesday, April 7, in the Minnewaska High School Auditorium beginning at 8 a.m. The interviews will be open to the public.

Candidates can direct questions to Lee Warne at 507-828-2468 or lwarne@mnmsba.org and are requested to not contact school board members or school personnel directly.

Minnewaska Area Schools is an equal opportunity employer. The MSBA Executive Search Service is an equal opportunity search agency. For more information, visit www.minnewaska.k12.mn.us/superintendent-search/