Albert Lea School District Superintendent Mike Funk, one of three finalists for superintendent in the St. Cloud Area School District, was not offered the job.

The St. Cloud school board offered the job to Willie Jett, a high school assistant superintendent for St. Paul Public Schools, according to the St. Cloud Times.

Funk had a day-long interview Tuesday, as did each of the three final candidates. The St. Cloud school board selected a candidate late Wednesday evening.

“I’m disappointed not to finish first, which is part of my competitive nature, but I’m pleased I’m going to be able to stay in Albert Lea and finish the initiatives we have in place,” Funk said.

The St. Cloud Area School District is the largest in central Minnesota, with almost 9,500 students. It is almost triple the size of the Albert Lea School District, which has an enrollment of about 3,200 students.

Funk was also one of seven interviewed for superintendent of Rochester Public Schools in May 2011.