Brandywine Supt. John Jarpe might be taking his talents to the Lake Michigan shore.

Jarpe is one of two finalists selected to take the place of St. Joseph Schools Supt. Al Skibbe, who is set to retire at the end of the year.

Jarpe became superintendent at Brandywine in 2007 after working 19 years in St. Joseph Schools as a principal and, for a time, special education director.

He views the St. Joseph job as an opportunity to have more responsibility and make a positive impact on a larger district.

“There is absolutely no negative reasons or anything about Brandywine,” Jarpe said. “I really truly enjoy my job and the people at Brandywine a whole lot, so there is nothing along those lines that motivates me that way.”

Other than Brandywine, St. Joseph Schools is the only superintendent position Jarpe is applying for, or has ever applied for.

“The opportunity came up at a district I am very familiar with and I decided to apply,” he said, “but before I did I gave it some long hard thought and consideration.”

St. Joseph Schools received nearly 30 applicants, but interviewed only the top five last week.

The school board announced two finalists on Monday — Jarpe and Ann Cardon, superintendent of Holton Public Schools.

Jarpe will be at St. Joseph Schools Wednesday to visit staff and do another round of interviews. He will take part in a public interview that evening as well.

Jarpe said the school board would likely make a decision by mid-April. The new superintendent would start in early July.