Middleton School District officials named four finalists in a national search to replace retiring superintendent Richard Bauscher.

Trustees will interview the finalists — three out-of-state candidates and one in-state finalist — during a closed executive session on Monday. The school board will then meet again Dec. 14, and could take formal action to hire Middleton’s next superintendent.

Bauscher announced the finalists in a memo to district employees Monday.

The finalists, and their current place of residence, are:

• Jana Iverson, Nyssa, Ore.
• Josh Middleton, Tucson, Ariz.
• Monica White, Canyon Springs High School principal, Caldwell.
• Trevor Wilson, Provo, Utah.

Bauscher, who has led the district since 2001, announced in October that he will retire on June 30.

Following Bauscher’s announcement, he and Assistant Superintendent Mike Friend organized a national search, advertising the opening on 11 different websites, including the American Association of School Administrators’ site.

Fourteen applicants from across the country responded, with nine candidates completing required criteria, Bauscher said.

District leaders also appointed a 15-member search committee to review the finalists, grade their applications and identify strengths and weaknesses for the school board. The search committee included one member of the public from each of the district’s school trustee zones, one employee from each of Middleton’s six schools, a member of the local teachers’ union, a member of the classified employees association and administrators.

The new superintendent will join a district that has seen enrollment grow by about 5 percent annually in recent years. This year, enrollment increased by 158 students and the district added eight new teachers, Bauscher said. The next superintendent will also likely be charged with leading a bond issue campaign for construction of a new elementary school, which will be located on a plot of land already donated to the district.

“I told (the finalists) you are going to a district with a firm foundation, a lot of good things going on, the best facilities in a 4A district, new schools and fine employees and principals,” Bauscher said. “But the challenge will be keeping a progressive district moving along on a positive note and handling growth.”

If the new superintendent is interested and available, Bauscher has offered to work with his successor to transition to the new position early. Bauscher said he announced his retirement at the beginning of the school year so his district could launch a search early and have a better chance at attracting qualified candidates before competition picks up later in the year.

“I told the board ‘You will get 100 percent from me clear through June 30,’” Bauscher said.

Friend will also leave the district on June 30. Once a new superintendent is named, district leaders will begin a search for a new assistant superintendent, Bauscher said.