MURRIETA -- Coming off a three-day trip to Colorado to conduct a background check on the top candidate for the Murrieta school district's top job, school board members said Wednesday that they are convinced now more than ever that Stan Scheer is the best person to take the helm.

Murrieta Valley Unified School District trustees are expected to ratify an employment contract with Scheer at a special meeting this afternoon, bringing closure to a five-month process to replace longtime Superintendent Chet Francisco, who resigned last fall.

Details on the length of Scheer's contract and annual salary were not available Wednesday.

"It's amazing that the message we got was entirely consistent -- that he is a man of integrity," board President Margi Wray said of Scheer. "Everyone working with him -- and that's the key word, working with him and not for him -- everyone had a relationship with him and knew him personally."

Wray, along with the other four board members, interviewed about five dozen people in Littleton, Colo., this week, from civic leaders to law enforcement officials to the rank and file of the Littleton Public School District, Scheer's current superintendent post.

Trustees said several people had tears in their eyes and a few even cried as they talked about Scheer's attributes and the thought of him leaving Colorado.

"Not only is Stan Scheer committed to the excellence of education, he is also clearly committed to individual relationships," said Trustee Robin Crist. "Every person we spoke to had a personal story between themselves and Stan that truly lifted up my view of him to a whole new level."

Trustee Paul Diffley said some people told him how Scheer frequently visits campuses and likes to serve as a substitute teacher.

"He loves to know what's going on and to see and hear how everyone is doing," Diffley said. "I think that's pretty classy."

Trustees said community members are welcome to come and meet Scheer at their special meeting today, which begins at 3:15 this afternoon at district headquarters, 41870 McAlby Court.

"Everyone spoke to Stan's integrity and educational leadership, and that they were very sad to hear he is considering leaving," Trustee Kris Thomasian said. "He is someone that walks the talk."

Scheer, who has more than 30 years' experience working in public education -- from classroom to administrative jobs -- is expected to begin working for the Murrieta district by July.

For the past seven years, Scheer, 63, has worked as superintendent for the Littleton Public School District, and before that worked as a superintendent and assistant superintendent at public school districts in Missouri for nine years.

Scheer has also worked in Wyoming as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent for administrative services within the Wyoming Department of Education, handling its finance system.

Scheer earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Wyoming, as well as worked on post-graduate school administration studies at Harvard University.

Before embarking on his career in education, Scheer served as an armor officer in U.S. Army for two years.

Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.

MEET THE MAN

Murrieta Valley Unified School District trustees are expected to approve an employment contract with Stan Scheer this afternoon, tapping him for the post of superintendent and bringing to a close a five-month search for a new schools chief.

WHEN: 3:15 p.m.

WHERE: Murrieta Valley Unified School District headquarters, 41870 McAlby Court

WHY: Meet the new superintendent