The Southern Cayuga Central School District has winnowed its superintendent prospects down to two finalists.

Ralph J. Scazafabo and Mary Kay Worth are the top contenders for the position, now filled by interim superintendent Larry Hayes.

Scazafabo is the superintendent of Lawrence Township Schools, in Cedarville, N.J., his role for the last 10 years. He oversees a 787 pupil district. Worth has served the last eight years as the principal of a partial middle and high school program, with grades seven through 12, in Genesee Valley, a 755 pupil school district located in Allegany County. Southern Cayuga schools currently enroll 930 students.

“They're both very experienced,” said Lee Peters of LeaderFind, the consulting firm that helped the district locate candidates.

Each candidate underwent a day-long interview process that included a tour of building facilities. Scazafabo said he emerged from his interview with a good idea of the community's concerns.

“The schools are going down in enrollment and I'm sure that's going to put pressure on the (public's) tax burden,” he said. Advocating with lawmakers to get increased funding for the school district, he added, would be among his top priorities, as well as improving communication with the public around budget measures.

Worth said a need for stability in the district lay among the issues most strongly communicated to her.

“They've had turnover, and they're looking for commitment and strong leadership,” she said, adding she came away from her interview certain that people had a good sense of her business and leadership style.

“If they choose me, they'll be getting an experienced administrator with a broad knowledge base, and a heart and passion for kids,” she said.

The interviews marked the second superintendent search undertaken by the district in less than a year and the second time Hayes has stepped in to assist.

In Oct. 2005, members unanimously voted out former schools chief Peter Cardamone, amidst cooperation problems and differences of opinion, including Cardamone's recommendation to deny tenure to former high school principal Dennis Farnsworth.

Last spring, members accepted the resignation of acting superintendent Thomas Turck, who had cited the need to spend more time with his family in Homer. Turck has returned to his former job as a middle school principal in that area.

The school board will meet Oct. 3 with work committees comprised of parents, students and teachers who interviewed the two finalists Sept. 27 and 28. Peters said board and committee members may make trips to the communities where each finalist currently works, before rendering a decision.

Staff writer Olivia Goldberg can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or at olivia.goldberg@lee.net