McCann Interviewed for Superintendent Post in Omaha

Shorewood Superintendent Blane McCann is among five candidates in the running to head a school district in Omaha, Nebraska.

McCann announced early last week , and said he appreciated the "chance to purse other interests and opportunities in the field of education."

He is listed as a candidate on the Westside Community School District’s website, and interviewed with the district’s School Board on Wednesday for 90 minutes, the Omaha World-Herald reports.

The district is located “in the heart of Omaha” and is looking for a replacement for its current superintendent, Jacquie Estee, who announced in August she would retire at the end of this school year.

Candidates took turns touring district schools and talking with pre-selected groups of students, residents and parents; Westside Foundation and volunteer council members; and administrators and teachers, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

Westside is the third largest district in the city of Omaha, a 13-school system and a highly-acclaimed public school district — one of the best in the U.S., the district’s website boasts. The district enrollment this year is nearly 5,900. In comparison, Shorewood has more than 2,000 students.

McCann has served as superintendent of the Shorewood School District since August 2003, with a current annual salary of $152,250. Estee’s base salary is $178,602, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

In April, near his hometown in suburban Columbus, OH, but later removed his name from the consideration.

in accordance with his retirement this summer, according to a separation agreement with the school district.

His retirement announcement stirred up controversy in the village, after some parents and residents crowded a School Board meeting the day after his announcement and .

McCann has maintained it is time for him to “move forward,” and School Board members insist the allegations are false and that McCann's choice to retire was his own.