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Ashland schools finalist named Interviews point to replacement for superintendent By WENDY SIPOREN ASHLAND -- A former elementary school principal from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District in California is the sole finalist in the search to replace retiring school superintendent John Daggett. The Ashland School Board chose Juli Di Chiro (pronounced Dee-Kiro) Monday from four candidates after a rigorous five-committee interview process over the weekend. "We were originally anticipating two to three finalists," said board chairman Kent Provost. "All the candidates were excellent. (But) she rose above the top." For the past two years, Di Chiro has worked as the director of standards, assessment and evaluation for the Santa Monica-Malibu district. Most of her time is spent implementing new California state legislative initiatives focused on school and student standards, she said. Prior to that, she was an elementary school principal for 10 years and has a total of 25 years' experience in education. In the next few weeks, board members Terry Littleton and Dan Thorndike as well as a teacher and a school administrator will visit Southern California to gain more information about Di Chiro. A background check also will be conducted. Di Chiro says she has yet to make her decision whether to move her family if offered the job. She is looking forward to talking with school board members "to see if it's a good match." She and her husband, a musician, have three children, one in junior high school, one in high school and one in college. From what she learned during the interview process, Di Chiro says Santa Monica and Ashland have a lot in common. "They both have a high level of public engagement, communities that care deeply about education and have an emphasis on the arts," she said. Di Chiro wasn't looking for a new job, but was recruited to apply for the superintendent opening by the parents of a former student who now live in Ashland. On Saturday, five panels of five to 12 community members, teachers, parents, students and staff interviewed the candidates in five subject areas: students, community relations, finance, education and curriculum, and personnel. In all, 60 people took part in the unique and rigorous interview process that examined technical skills as well as personality and work traits. The district hopes to have a new superintendent in place by July 1. Superintendent John Daggett is retiring June 30 after 12 years leading the district and more than 31 years in public education. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA