08:48 PM PDT on Tuesday, October 7, 2003

By ELISA HAHN / KING 5 News

SEATTLE - After all the applicants and the forums, on the night the Seattle School District was to choose a new superintendent the district has to start all over.

Over the past week, all four finalists for Seattle school superintendent bowed out of the race. The last one - Evelyn Castro - withdrew late Tuesday afternoon.

In letters to the district, finalist Joan Kowal cited "undocumented rumors, allegations and innuendo."

Libia Gil blamed "the increasing polarization of this process."

And Steven Adamowski said "I do not perceive a sufficient level of community support."

"I'm a bit stunned now that we have no candidates remaining, but I think the process has self imploded basically," said Seattle City Council President Peter Steinbrueck, who fired a letter off to the school board Monday, telling them to hold off on their decision.

On Tuesday he said a valuable lesson has been learned.

"I think we've gained something from this experience. I think we'll know better when we restart this process what we're looking for inn the qualities that would make for an excellent superintendent," said Steinbrueck.

Both Peter Steinbrueck and Mayor Greg Nickels had come out publicly asking the board not to hire any of the four final candidates.

Raj Manhas is acting superintendent for the Seattle School District..

School board president Nancy Waldman sad she'll likely recommend that the board retain Manhas.