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BUCHANAN — Next steps are in order to find the new superintendent of Buchanan Community Schools.

As the call for applications closed on at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, 25 candidates had submitted through the online form, according to Mark Dobias, consultant for the Michigan Association of School Boards.

“I will finish my review of the candidates, and then board of education will have access to them in a couple of days,” Dobias said. “Then, we’ll have a meeting on July 1, where the board will select candidates for interview.”

On May 13, the Buchanan Board of Education voted to allow Dennis Wentworth, board president, to sign a separation agreement with Superintendent Timothy Donahue. While Donahue remains in the position until Aug. 31, the search began in the early of June to find a replacement. He finishes with three years in the district.

Typically, candidates are narrowed down to between four and eight to begin interviews.

Dobias said the board’s goal is to have a single candidate and offer of contract by the end of July.

Interviews are to be scheduled for July 12 and July 13, with the second round of interviews scheduled a week later.

“After that, the board will move quickly if they find the right person,” Dobias said.

The interview process is open to the public after candidates are narrowed down from the 25 applicants.

As COVID-19 mandates may change, Dobias advised those interested in being a part of the interviewing process to find updated information at the Buchanan Community Schools’ website. It has not yet been determined if the interviews will be open for public audience in-person or in an online format.

“The process is pretty much the same, with the exception that in a lot of the searches [statewide], they are not having face to face interviews,” Dobias said.

Whether interviews are in person or online, Dobias said participants are welcome to share their feedback with the Buchanan Board of Education.

“They will have the opportunity to share their thoughts through a feedback form,” he said.