BELOIT — Beloit School District Superintendent Lowell Holtz hoped to be on the job longer than two years, but concerns about job security, among other issues, have him mulling a possible move to Kenosha.

Holtz is one of two finalists for the superintendent position in Kenosha Unified School District No. 1, which is on the verge of becoming the second-largest district in the state.

Holtz said he didn’t want to seek out other opportunities so soon after coming to Beloit, but began to have concerns about job security and the district’s reluctance to offer his wife a management position. The board was concerned that a curriculum position for Sue Holtz might violate a district nepotism policy.

“Everything’s a factor,” Holtz said about those issues. “Beloit is a very comfortable place for me. It’s a place my wife and I enjoy. We didn’t build a house here to leave in two years.”

Nevertheless, he noted that superintendents consider carefully whether a school district is family-friendly.

“Not just for all families, but for my family as well,” he said.

Members of the school board say they understand Holtz’s decision to seek out other opportunities. They also note his potential interest in other jobs is the reason he received a contract extension in January for one year, rather than two. At that point, Holtz became concerned about his long-term future in the district.

“I cannot fault him for considering this possibility,” said board Trustee Kim Thompson. “We knew that this was a possibility.”

The board met Tuesday to discuss Holtz’s contract, but made no changes.

“We will not alter the contract with him as this time,” President Jeff Klett said. “We have to stick with what we have to offer, with our financial constraints.”

The board is pleased with Holtz’s performance, but not the prospect of searching for a replacement so soon after hiring him.

“When you’re successful, people are going to come after you,” Klett said. “There wasn’t any dissatisfaction. Overall, the district’s moved forward in a lot of areas.

“When you look at how he connected with the community, he’s done better than past superintendents, and that’s also the same feedback that I got from the business community. I’m not surprised he was approached (by another district), but I thought it’d be at least another year.”

According to Miles Turner, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, the lack of qualified candidates for large-district superintendent positions, makes Holtz an attractive candidate.

“There’s a severe shortage of school administrators at this time in Wisconsin,” Turner said. “Six of the 10 largest districts in Wisconsin are looking for superintendents.”

According to Turner, the dearth of qualified superintendents is related to several factors, including the retirements of baby boomers, political pressures and higher salaries in Illinois.

“There are five superintendents in the Milwaukee area who have moved to Illinois,” Turner said.

Kenosha board President Dave Fountain said the new superintendent there will make more than $200,000 annually, including benefits. Holtz currently earns about $130,000, not including benefits and a $5,000 performance bonus.

Still, Holtz said his interest in moving is not about money.

“It’s not a competition for salary, because Beloit can’t compete with Kenosha, I think,” said Holtz, who came to Beloit from the Palmyra-Eagle School District.

Job security is his main concern, he added, and on that issue, he insists, Beloit can compete.

Kenosha’s school board expects to make a decision by the end of April. Holtz and the other finalist, Terry Baker of North Newton School Corp. in Morocco, Ind., are scheduled to visit the city the second week of April.

Holtz has made a good impression on Kenosha officials.

“His experience and involvement — he came out very, very strong as far as his leadership qualities go,” Fountain said.

If Holtz does leave Beloit, the district will be faced with another nationwide search.

“I was part of the last search,” Klett said. “It’s not a fun process, I can tell you that.”

Board members, meanwhile, are concerned that Beloit could become a turnstile school district for upwardly mobile superintendents.

“We look good on a resume, let’s put it that way,” Klett said.