Superintendent Search
Board announces three finalists
Following two days of semi-finalist interviews on April 8 and 9, the Forest Lake Area School Board has narrowed its search for the next district leader to three finalists. This decision comes after a comprehensive review process that has prioritized stakeholder feedback and the specific leadership qualities identified by the community during recent listening sessions.
The School Board continues to be impressed by the high caliber of applicants and remains committed to a transparent, collaborative process to rebuild trust and ensure stability for the district. The three finalists will participate in a final round of public interviews on April 20 and 22, 2026, held in the Forest
Lake Area Schools Board Room.
The finalists are:
- John Paul (JP) Jacobson: A familiar face within the district, Jacobson has served Forest Lake Area Schools for eleven years, currently as the Director of Teaching and Learning. He has successfully led the district through various transitions and has a deep understanding of the local community’s needs.
- Tim Schochenmaier: The current Superintendent of Central Public Schools and the 2024 Region 9 Administrator of Excellence, Schochenmaier brings a proven track record of academic and fiscal success. He has a history of building strong community confidence, evidenced by multiple voter-approved funding initiatives.
- Dr. Jim Wagner: (Update 4/13/26: Dr. Wagner has withdrawn from consideration and will not proceed into final interviews.) With 12 years of executive experience as a sitting superintendent, Dr. Wagner has experience navigating complex financial landscapes and improving student achievement. He is recognized for his ability to eliminate district debt while simultaneously bridging achievement gaps for diverse student populations.
The Board invites all community members to attend these final interviews. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to provide electronic feedback on each candidate. The Board will review this input alongside existing data from surveys and listening sessions to make their final selection.
Finalist Interview Schedule:
- Dates: April 20 and April 22, 2026
- Location: Forest Lake Area Schools Board Room
- Time: 5:15 p.m.
Forest Lake Area Schools Superintendent Search
Forest Lake Area Schools is undertaking a search for our next Superintendent. This is an important moment for our district, and we are committed to a transparent, inclusive, and community‑driven process. With the support of Ray & Associates, a national search firm specializing in educational leadership recruitment, the Board is working to identify exceptional candidates who reflect the values, priorities, and strengths of our community.
Search Process
Community Survey Completed
The search process was intentionally designed to emphasize community voice and transparency. A total of 678 community members and stakeholders participated in an online survey—one of the highest participation rates nationally for a district of this size—providing valuable feedback to inform the School Board’s decision‑making. In addition, School Board members participated in individual interviews and completed a separate survey to identify leadership qualities most important for the district’s next superintendent.
Listening Sessions
To further engage stakeholders, community listening sessions with students, staff, administrators, parents, business and community leaders, and members of the public were held in late March. Feedback from surveys, interviews, and listening sessions helped identify 31 leadership characteristics, with the following emerging as the most important qualities sought in the next superintendent:
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to listen, make decisions, and positively represent the district
• Leadership skills and cultural competence to serve a diverse student body and community
• Ability to work effectively with legislators and lead through legislative processes
• A strong moral compass rooted in justice and equity, with a clear and inclusive vision for the future
• Clear and effective communication skills
• Commitment to visibility and engagement within the community
• A student‑centered approach to decision‑making
• Commitment to safe, positive, and inclusive learning environments
• Ability to improve student achievement and close opportunity gaps
• Capacity to foster trust, respect, and collaboration among staff, administrators, and the School Board
Superintendent Semi-Finalist Interviews
Links to videos from the School Board Special Meeting & semi-finalist candidate interviews are below.
April 8 Interviews:
April 9 Interviews:
Employment Posting - Superintendent of Schools
Forest Lake Area Schools seeks an individual with visionary leadership and strong administrative skills to lead a district of over 5,500 students. The salary will be in the range of $190,000.00 to $230,000.00 and the total compensation includes an excellent comprehensive benefits package. The final salary for the successful candidate will be negotiated and determined based upon proven experience, qualifications and meeting Board criteria.
Contact:
Phone: 319/393-3115
E-mail: dan@rayassoc.com
Application Deadline: Noon CST on March 19, 2026
Please do not contact the School Board of District directly.