News Update: Two finalists named for Owatonna superintendent
The Owatonna Public Schools School Board has selected two finalists for the superintendent position, following the completion of the semi-finalist interviews.
The finalists are:
Tamara Champa - superintendent, Hastings Public Schools - enrollment 4,000. Prior to her current position which began in 2023, Champa served for 11 years as superintendent of Pine Island Public Schools. She also has more than six years of experience as a principal.
Eric Hudspith - superintendent, Waseca Public Schools - enrollment 1,700, waseca.k12.mn.us Before his five years at Waseca Public Schools, Hudspith spent six years as director of human resources at Mankato Public Schools. He also has experience as a principal at Mankato and Albert Lea as well as director of facilities and transportation in Albert Lea. “We were impressed with the quality of our semi-finalists and look forward to finding the best candidate to continue to move Owatonna Public Schools forward in our goal of inspiring excellence in every learner, every day,” said Mark Sebring, chair of the school board. Each finalist will spend an entire day at the district, meeting with several staff groups, touring the city and schools, having a Q&A with parents and community members, meeting with business leaders, talking with a panel of students, and concluding with a final school board interview.
Hudspith will interview on March 20, and Champa will interview on March 25. The school board’s final interview with the candidates is at 7:15 p.m. each day and is open to the public.
The interviews will take place at the District Office, 333 East School St. An interview itinerary is available on the superintendent search page on the school district website - isd761.org/superintendent-search.
The candidates were chosen based on desired characteristics developed from student, staff, and community input. The qualities include: integrity, honesty, transparency, clear communication, compassion, empathy, and high accountability, along with a student focus and innovative work in college and career readiness.
The position will begin July 1, following current Superintendent Jeff Elstad’s retirement from public education on June 30.
