Wayland Union Schools Superintendent Dr. Christina Hinds is one of three finalists for the superintendent’s job in the Kalkaska School District.

Dr. Hinds, who was named school chief at Wayland a year ago and started July 1, is vying for the position with Dr. Richard Sarau of Baraga Area Schools, and Dr. Richard Heitmeyer of Baldwin Community Schools. All three currently are superintendents.

The three finalists all were given final interviews on Tuesday, June 8. The Kalkaska Board of Education hasn’t yet made a final decision.

Hinds became the second woman ever to serve as superintendent at Wayland. Her administrative team includes Patricia Velie, assistant superintendent for finances and operations, and Teresa Fulk, assistant superintendent for instruction.

It marks the first time in local history that the top three school positions have been held by women.

Hinds, who succeeded Norman Taylor here as superintendent, obviously has been at the helm during a difficult academic year in which schools operated most of the time on a hybrid model or all-virtual instruction model because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Administrators and school board members have absorbed a great deal of criticism for not opening up the schools and sports programs.

Hinds was not available for comment on the matter Saturday.