Forums seek profile for next schools chief

Spokane Public Schools will host two community forums Monday to gather input to assist in the selection of the district’s next superintendent.

Members of the consulting firm hired by the school board to perform a national search for a new leader will meet with both staff and the public.

Community members will likely be asked to fill out a questionnaire outlining what characteristics are desired in Spokane’s new superintendent, as well as their impressions of the district’s challenges and strengths. The information will be used to build a profile used to match candidates for the job.

“Those will be the screening device by which we recruit and identify top candidates,” said Janet Barry, an associate with Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates.

The school board made a decision last year to postpone a national search to replace Brian Benzel, who retired last year, until after the November elections. Nancy Stowell was appointed as the interim superintendent.

Five days after the election, board members pushed the search forward by selecting the Illinois-based search firm.

The firm will be paid about $28,000, said Christie Querna, the board member spearheading the search effort. The total cost for the search will likely be closer to $40,000, including advertising and travel for possible candidates as well as board members.

Although the search firm hasn’t started recruiting candidates, “there are interested individuals who have already contacted us,” said Barry.

Members of the firm have already met with district administrators, and will also meet with staff at 4 p.m. Monday, before the community meetings.

“This is really the time for the community to say what’s important to them,” Querna said.

The board hopes to make a final selection in March.