Although Moniteau School District superintendent Tom Samosky said he will stay with the district until a replacement is selected, the school board is moving quickly to fill the opening left by his resignation.

According to school board president Mike Panza, applications for the position are due Oct. 1 and the board will evaluate candidates as quickly as possible.

“We appreciate him staying with us, and we hope to hire someone prior to his departure,” he said. “Once we identify candidates, we will discuss how they fit in with us, what their expectations are.”

The board accepted Samosky's resignation Monday. Samosky, who cited personal reasons for leaving, has accepted a job as superintendent of Fort Cherry School District in Washington County.

“I don't have a strict timeline for it,” Samosky said Monday about his departure. “I'm happy to stay with the district until they get further along in the process.”

According to Panza, the school board intends to ask candidates about their goals for the district and their past experience.

Panza said the board appreciates Samosky's work and that he was integral in guiding the district through the coronavirus pandemic, which closed schools only months into his tenure.

Panza applauded Samosky for helping to bring new math programs to the district and also getting to a one-to-one ratio of students and laptop technology.

“He built many bridges for the staff and students,” Panza said. “He also got us several grants that helped fund new programs at the schools.”