1 candidate left in Vacaville school leader search

VACAVILLE — One candidate remains out of a pool of dozens for the superintendent’s position at the Vacaville School District.

Two closed session meetings last weekend enabled the school board to winnow the candidates to a finalist, said David McCallum, the board president.

“It was not an easy choice, but we think we came to the right (decision),” he said.

Up next is a little more investigation, such as speaking with stakeholders who have worked with the candidate and a site visit. Once that is completed, contract negotiations would begin.

McCallum said the name could be announced either April 11 or April 18.

The current superintendent, John Niederkorn, is stepping down after a couple of years in the top position. He has been involved in education for 39 years and just prior to taking over the superintendent’s position was the district’s assistant superintendent of business and administrative services.

In a previous interview, he said that “the time is right for the Niederkorn family,” in reference to him retiring this year.

“My grandkids are growing up, it’s time . . . ,” he said recently.

Niederkorn’s two-year contract was amended last year when he elected to retire, give up his six-figure salary and continue on as a retired employee with a salary of $31,020, the maximum a former employee can collect. His pension also kicked in.

Reach Susan Winlow at 427-6955 or swinlow@dailyrepublic.net. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/swinlowdr.