Don Armstrong is no stranger to controversy.

A statement to another media outlet that he had his mind made up after Thursday’s interviews on who he thought the next Lee County School District superintendent should be is making some in the community, including those involved in the process, upset — especially since Armstrong was not at the interviews on Friday.

Armstrong, a member of the Lee County School Board, had a family issue that took him out of town on Friday.

“I thought it was very offensive. If he made his decision Thursday, what was the point of Friday?” asked Sue Jacobse, a member of the citizens’ superintendent search committee, which was active in Friday’s activities with the four candidates. “I hope his fellow board members call him to task on Tuesday.”

Monday afternoon, Armstrong said his words were taken out of context.

“I had decided who I liked,” he said. “But there was still the community’s choice to consider. I spent most of the weekend reviewing the documents and the video, and I am happy to say I think we agree on the same person.”

But who that person was, Armstrong said, would remain under wraps until Tuesday morning, when the School Board will meet in a workshop to discuss the four candidates and determine if a new superintendent exists among them, or if they want to start the search over again.

The finalists are:

• Joe Burke, the superintendent of Monroe County Public Schools.

• Steven Cobb, the chief academic officer for Fort Wayne, Ind. Community Schools.

• Nancy Graham, principal at Naples High School.

• Constance Jones, chief academic officer for the Lee County School District.

Last week, the candidates were put through two-days of interviews. In addition, the candidates had to create and present a mock school board presentation, participate in a writing prompt, and go through an experience-based interview with the citizens’ superintendent committee.

Jacobse said following the interviews, she chose Jones as her first choice for superintendent and Graham as her second choice.

“I think they are both incredible candidates who bring a long history with the district to the job,” she said. “They both understand Lee County. …. I am still very sad (former superintendent) Dr. (James) Browder left. But, I feel that Dr. Jones or Dr. Graham would carry on the legacy of what he started.”

Regardless of who is chosen, Jacobse said she will be happy to work with the new superintendent, and was happy to be part of the process.

“I am honored to serve and do this,” she said. “This is a monumental decision.”