Alpha seeking new leader for K-8 district School board began interviewing candidates late last month, expected to continue this week. Tuesday, August 07, 2007 • By ANDREA EILENBERGER • The Express-Times ALPHA | School board members are searching for a new chief school administrator to lead the kindergarten through eighth-grade district. The board is interviewing candidates to replace Mary Kildow, who resigned effective July 31 to become a superintendent in Fairfield, N.J. Board members began interviewing candidates late last month and are expected to continue Wednesday and Thursday. They might publicly announce Kildow's successor after a closed session Thursday, said Bill Stepka, the interim business administrator. Until a new administrator takes on the job full time, John Pappas has taken the helm of the 280-student district. "We're blessed to have a lot of these smaller community schools," Pappas said. Pappas retired as superintendent of the Warren County Special Services School District about six years ago. Since then, he's held several interim administrative posts in districts throughout Warren County. He's temporarily led schools in Belvidere, Greenwich Township and Hackettstown, among others. Kildow was superintendent and principal of the Alpha district for about three years, Stepka said. Her 2007-08 salary was $113,360. The district is paying Pappas $500 a day on an as-needed basis, Stepka said. Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.