Board set to search for Hitchcock superintendent

HITCHCOCK — There are some, including members of the Hitchcock school board, who would prefer that Lee Knapp stay with the school district forever.

The veteran educator, who has had stints as high school principal and interim superintendent appreciates the sentiments but thinks it’s time to move on.

The school board will meet Tuesday to start the search for a full-time superintendent.

In March, Knapp was named the interim superintendent after the retirement of Michael Bergman.

Despite deep budget cuts and struggles to keep up enrollment at the west county school district, many in the community have seen Knapp as a calming leader.

That’s why some board members asked Knapp to stay on indefinitely, he said. Knapp even had to go to the board to encourage trustees to start the search process.

“I appreciated the thought, but it’s time to get some new blood in here,” Knapp said.

Instead of hiring an outside firm to seek its new leader, the school board will consider Knapp’s recommendation that he lead the search for his replacement.

“We have had so many cuts, spending $20,000 to $30,000 to search for a superintendent is too much money given the circumstances,” Knapp said. “It’s up to the board, but my recommendation will be to let me lead the search.”

Knapp believes his experience with the district as well as his connections across the state, would best serve the district in the search for a new superintendent.