By MaryHelen Swanson

North Branch Area Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Deb Henton is one of six semifinalists for the position of superintendent of the St. Paul Public School District.

The names were announced Wednesday.

Of the news, Supt. Henton said she was honored at the selection, but chooses, out of respect for the St. Paul Board of Education, not to comment at this time.

The other candidates are Elk River Superintendent Mark Bezek, recently retired Robbinsdale Superintendent Stan Mack, Deputy Superintendent of the Portland, Ore., schools Charles Hopson, St. Paul Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Valeria Silva and St. Paul Public Schools Chief of Schools Nancy Stachel.

The St. Paul school district is seeking a replacement for Meria Carstarphen, who left this past year to go to the Austin public schools in Texas.

Interviews of the six semifinalists will be held Friday and Saturday, and the St. Paul School Board expects to select up to three finalists sometime Saturday following the last interview. A final selection is expected on Nov. 23.

---