The Austin School Board has narrowed its list of six superintendent candidates down to three.

After two days of interviews culminated with their decision Wednesday night, board members selected: Don Hainlen, superintendent of Chatfield Public School Schools, Chatfield, Minn.; Deborah Clark, superintendent of Zion-Benton Township High School, Zion, Ill.; and David Krenz, superintendent of La Crescent-Hokah Public Schools, La Crescent, Minn.

Candidates who were not selected include: Mark Sleeper, superintendent of Princeton Public Schools, Princeton, Minn.; Gregory Schmidt, superintendent of MACCRAY Public Schools, Clara City, Minn.; and Julie Espe, executive director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, St. Cloud Area School District, St. Cloud, Minn.

Next week, the final candidates will have staff and community interviews as well as final interviews.

Clark is scheduled for Tuesday, Hainlen on Wednesday and Krenz on Thursday.

Question-and answer-sessions will be held for each of the three finalists in Christgau Hall at Austin High School. Final interviews will be held each evening in the school board conference room.

The schedule for each evening is: Q & A with certified and non-certified staff, 3 to 4 p.m.; Q & A with community, 5 to 6 p.m.; and final interview, 7:30 p.m.

The district plans to negotiate a contract with its choice the week of Dec. 22; the school board is scheduled to take action on the superintendent’s contract in the beginning of January.

The new superintendent will assume duties July 1.

Bruce Anderson is serving as the district’s interim superintendent, a one-year position.