After going through a second interview with the NJPA (National Joint Powers Alliance) board Monday night, Mark Schmitz withdrew his name from consideration for the director’s job leaving the board with two candidates.

Schmitz is the superintendent of the Staples Motley School District. The other two candidate called for a second interview are Todd Lyscio, director of community education at the Brainerd School District and a former high school principal at Staples Motley; and Paul Brownlow, superintendent at Verndale Public Schools.

“My heart is in education,” Schmitz said in a telephone interview. “Staples Motley is a good, solid district with a lot going for it.”

He added that the NJPA director job was “one more step removed from working with kids, working with staff. We have a good board and good staff.”

Schmitz has been serving part time as the interim director of NJPA following the departure of Gary Nytes, former director, this past March. That contract ended June 30.

Susan Nanik, human resources man- ager at NJPA, is continuing to follow up with references on the two remaining candidates. The board has ranked the two candidates, she said, and a contract is expected to be offered this week.

The negotiations committee will work out the details. Board members on that committee are Barb Schmitt, Staples; Wayne Wolden, Wadena; and Mike Wilson, Pierz.

Nanik said the board’s goal is to have the new director on the job no later than Sept. 1 and earlier if arrangements can be made.

In the meantime the board has authorized Nanik to sign documents and carry out duties needed to keep the organization operating. She said this would include signing daily membership applications and contract renewals. Any new contracts or other new business items would be approved by the board and signed by the board clerk, Lane Waldahl.

Although Schmitz has removed himself from consideration as the permanent director, his job as interim director gave him some insight into the organization. As a superintendent, he said he’d like to see “a more balanced approach to providing services for our schools.” He cited specifically more training and more help with the No Child Left Behind legislation. He also felt that was common feedback from superintendents in the region.