 Bemidji school superintendent Dr. Jim Hess interviewed today in Grand Forks for the Grand Forks school district superintendent position. Hess is one of three finalists for that job. He has been Bemidji superintendent since 2004 but announced in August that he would be retiring from the school district after his current school year comes to an end. I announced last July that I was not going to ask for an additional extension or a new contract and I did that because I thought it was good for me to have a change and for the district to have a change in leadership. You know each leader has a special set of tools or skills or knowledges or abilities and it's good to have some change so where I might have a certain emphasis in one area a new superintendent might emphasize another area so it's it's good for the school district it's good for the community change can be a very positive thing. The all day interview process included forums for staff students and community members. Hess says the interview process works both ways. I'm here to see if I want this job and to see if my skills and knowledge and abilities would be a good match for the Grand Fork School District and you know while they're interviewing me actually I'm interviewing them as well. Hess is the second of three finalists to interview the final candidates interview will take place on Thursday Grand Fork Schools hopes to make a final decision on who they'd like to hire by February 19th. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.