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OPS

OPS Superintendent search narrowed to three finalists

On Tuesday night, search firm McPherson & Jacobson recommended three finalists for Omaha Public Schools’ next superintendent to the Board of Education.

Dr. Stavem
Dr. Gausman

Monique Farmer, Director of District Communications for OPS, says the firm has been working since December to identify candidates for the role after the announcement that OPS’ current superintendent, Mark Evans, would be retiring at the end of this school year.  

Farmer says the three finalists are Dr. Paul Gausman, Superintendent of Sioux City Public Schools in Iowa, Dr. Jane Stavem, Associate Superintendent for Instruction at Lincoln Public Schools and Dr. Khalid Mumin, Superintendent of Reading Public Schools in Pennsylvania.

"The selection of the superintendent is the most important decision that any school board makes.  And it is ultimately the board’s decision who the next superintendent of OPS will be.  They are on time with their original timeline that they framed out once they were made aware of the upcoming departure of current superintendent Mark Evans.  And they hope to be in contract negotiations by the end of March.”

Farmer says the public will have the opportunity to speak with the candidates next week at a series of Meet and Greet sessions, beginning on Monday. 

The candidates will give an overview of themselves as well as answer some questions from the public. 

The complete schedule is available online at superintendentsearch.ops.org.