The Ann Arbor school board interviewed six candidates this week to become the next superintendent of Ann Arbor Public Schools. AnnArbor.com is profiling each of the candidates after his or her interview.

Citing partnerships and programs similar to ones already in place in Ann Arbor Public Schools, superintendent candidate Michael Munoz says he already knows what it takes to succeed in the district.

Munoz said he sees Ann Arbor as a smaller version of his current district in Iowa. Among the reasons he decided to apply here was the similarities in programming and the shared dedication to children’s education, he said.

“As I was researching Ann Arbor, I asked — was this Des Moines, but half the size?” he said. “There’s a lot of programming similarities, and I would have a lot of experience that would be beneficial. I’m also impressed with the support for education in the community.”

Munoz was the sixth and final candidate interviewed by the Ann Arbor Board of Education for the open superintendent position. His interview wrapped up Friday afternoon.

Munoz serves as chief academic officer of Des Moines Public Schools and has worked in education for 32 years. Before becoming the chief academic officer there, he worked as regional executive director for the Northeast Region of the district. Des Moines has an enrollment of about 32,000 students.

Munoz has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Nebraska, a master’s degree in developmental counseling and an administrative degree from Drake University, and a specialist degree from Iowa State University.

During his interview, Munoz mentioned many programs he had a hand in creating or working with during his time in Des Moines that are similar to programs in Ann Arbor — such as an International Baccalaureate program. He said his philosophy on fostering different educational opportunities is based in being both innovative and equitable.

“When we first went to the IB program at the primary and middle school levels (in Des Moines), my only concern was make sure everyone has access,” he said. “If that means providing busing, we provide busing because some families can’t provide transportation on their own — that eliminates them from that program.”

Munoz said one of his major abilities as an administrator is building relationships between all aspects of school district life — from the school board to principals to community stakeholders.

If hired, Munoz said, he would plan to meet with as many people as possible during his first few months on the job to create new relationships. During his time overseeing the Northeast Region of Des Moines, Munoz said he tried to visit every school in his area once a week, which he would continue in Ann Arbor.

“Before I can lead, I need to have that relationship,” he said.

Describing himself as a direct person, Munoz told board members he would not hesitate to make tough choices and tell them exactly what's going on in schools.

Munoz targeted budgeting and funding as the biggest issue for school districts in the next five years and said he expects to make plenty of tough choices. He said districts will have to be selective in what they fund in upcoming years.

He said it’s important that everyone involved in a particular decision be brought into the decision-making process, but any choices he makes will be in the best interest of students.

“We have to bring stakeholders in, whoever is going to be involved, and we have to involve them at the take off,” he said. “We can’t wait until we land and say, ‘Here’s how this affects you.’ … You may not agree with me, but you know the process that we have and that I made the decision because of this, this and this.”

Kyle Feldscher covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com.