The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education has chosen John O’Brien to be the interim superintendent of schools.

The pick comes as a surprise since O’Brien wasn’t included in the district’s published superintendent candidate list. Only two candidates John Pothast and Dr. Christine Ermold, who also work for the district, were slated for board interviews.

After five hours of executive session, school board president Penny Vadla offered O’Brien, the current assistant superintendent of instruction, an interim position and to negotiate a contract.

Communications liaison for the district, Pegge Erkeneff, said more information will be coming out in the near future.

O’Brien will be taking over for Sean Dusek, who resigned earlier this year.