MUSD Superintendent Steve Chestnut. Photo by Devin Carson

Steve Chestnut, superintendent of Maricopa Unified School District, is one of two finalists to be the next superintendent of Deer Valley Unified School District.

Chestnut informed staff of the situation this week. He has interviews and public reception May 5-6 and is competing for the post with Curtis Finch from Big Rapids, Michigan.

Hired at MUSD in 2012, Chestnut said his decision to apply for the Deer Valley post was not an indication of unhappiness in his current job.

“My wife and I greatly enjoy living in Maricopa,” he stated. “This is an exciting time for MUSD with the passage of the override as we add 50 additional certified staff for 2017-18 and provide additional instructional technology to our students. However, I have had a long term professional goal of being a superintendent in a large school district.”

DVUSD has 33,927 students in 38 schools in Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Anthem, New River, Cave Creek and unincorporated areas. That school is seeking a replacement for James R. Veitenheimer, who was also hired in 2012.

At tonight’s governing board meeting, the MUSD board is scheduled to go into executive session to discuss the superintendent’s contract.