The biggest knock on superintendent finalist Mike Pettibone in the eyes of those who would hire him is that he is not willing to hold the position for the next 10 years.

Members of the Niles Community Schools Board of Education have said they are looking for a person that can lead the district for a long time, not one that will be gone in the three to five years he said he is willing to stay.

So why did the board bring Pettibone back for a second round of interviews along with two other finalists Chris Daughtry and Dan Applegate?

Pettibone said he believes he has a lot to offer, and that his strengths just might outweigh that one big negative.

“Every role I was ever in in education I loved,” said the Decatur, Indiana, man. “You get fortunate enough to have success, however you might define success, and you feel like you have something to contribute. I just feel like I have some of that to contribute.”

Pettibone said one of his biggest assets is his ability to identify potential leaders within a school district and help them develop. That could lead to a smooth transition between himself and the next superintendent.

He also said he is a skilled team builder who gets people inside an organization to believe in themselves and what they are doing.

“When you are talking about improving the perception of Niles Schools to attract more people — No. 1 that starts internally,” he said.

“Leadership development might be the most rewarding piece of being in an administrative role.”

Pettibone retired nearly two years ago after working 11 years at Adams Central Community Schools — a district of 1,200 students in Monroe, Indiana.

He doesn’t believe making the jump from 1,200 to the 4,000 students at Niles Community Schools will be an issue.

“That is not a game changer,” he said, adding that being superintendent at a small school district allowed him to do everything from preparing a budget, to writing grants to overseeing construction projects and hiring and firing staff.

“The advantage of me is at least I have an understanding of what is going on around me,” he said.

Prior to becoming superintendent at Adams Central, Pettibone worked as principal at Clay High School and Wilson Elementary, both in South Bend, for three years. Before that, he worked 23 years in various roles, including teacher, coach and principal, at Plymouth Community Schools in Plymouth, Indiana.

Pettibone toured Niles Community Schools Monday before meeting the public and undergoing a second public interview with the school board.

He said the tour reinforced his belief that the district is full of passionate people who are willing to do what is necessary to move the district forward.

“Do I look at this as a neat opportunity and a place that I think is ripe?” he said. “The answer is yes.”

Niles began with 23 candidates to replace Interim Supt. Michael Lindley, who came on after former Supt. Richard Weigel resigned in February. They interviewed six finalists last week before narrowing the list down to three and inviting them back for a tour and second-round interviews this week.

Finalist Dan Applegate will go through the process Wednesday and Chris Daughtry will follow Thursday.