MONUMENT — Lewis-Palmer School District has narrowed its search for a new superintendent down to three finalists.
     One of those finalists is current Weld Re-8 Superintendent Mark Payler.
     Payler, who has been Re-8 superintendent of schools since July 2004, now enters the top three runoff from an initial field of 23 candidates culled from a nationwide search.

     Payler informed staff members of his candidacy for the job in an all-staff e-mail Friday.
     "This is very hard for me to write and I'm sure that you may (or may not) be disappointed - but you should know the truth," he wrote.
     Payler wrote that he's had open aspirations, for some time, to move to a larger school district. He said this particular job also appeals to him because he'd be close to his daughter, who starts college this fall in Colorado Springs. While Payler's letter was sentimental, he reminded staff members the selection process was not over.
     "But make no mistake, although I am one of three candidates the (Lewis-Palmer) board is bringing in – I am no “shoo-in” for the job," he said. "The interviews take place over a very long weekend and are very rigorous. In the end, we have to match – both the district with me and me with the district. I am very much interviewing them as they interview me."
     The other two finalists are Kevin Hahn, current assistant superintendent of elementary schools in the Poudre School District in Fort Collins, and  John Borman, the current principal of Lewis-Palmer High School in District 38. The candidates will have their final interviews Feb. 11 and 12, before selection panels consisting of school board members, school staff, parents and community members. The selected candidate will be announced at the Feb. 17 Lewis-Palmer school board meeting.
    Payler came to Fort Lupton from Wray where he served as superintendent from August  2001 until he was hired by Weld Re-8 in 2004. He recently wrapped up a two-year stint as president of the Fort Lupton Chamber of Commerce.