ARLINGTON — The Arlington School District is looking for a new superintendent as the current leader prepares to take over at the Edmonds School District.

Kristine McDuffy is set to start work in Edmonds on July 1. Arlington officials hope to offer a contract to her replacement by June 13.

McDuffy has been the superintendent in Arlington for eight years. Arlington has 5,400 students and nine schools. Edmonds is the largest school district in the county, with more than 20,600 students and 26 elementary, middle and high schools along with other learning programs.

“Although this is an incredible opportunity for me at this stage of my career, it is with a heavy heart that I leave such a wonderful school district and community, as well as an amazing team,” McDuffy wrote in an open letter.

The school district is working with Northwest Leadership Associates to screen applicants, make a selection and draft a contract. The new position is expected to pay a base salary of about $220,000 a year. McDuffy makes $243,394 plus a $5,000 stipend for having a doctoral degree.

The school board and consultants want to gather ideas from people who live in the district about what they’re looking for in a leader.

“A superintendent is really important, like the CEO of a company,” district spokeswoman Andrea Conley said. “We’re really trying to involve our whole community, not just the school community, but all of Arlington because the superintendent is usually very involved in the community.”

Three public meetings are planned this week to gather thoughts from local families. The first two are on Wednesday, one at 12:45 p.m. in the administration building at 315 N. French Ave and one at 6:30 p.m. at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd. The last session is at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Weston High School commons, 4407 172nd St. NE.

People are encouraged to share what they think is working well in the district, what they see as challenges and what qualifications they want in the district’s leader.

An online survey also is available in English and Spanish on the district’s website. Preliminary candidate interviews, tentatively scheduled for June 4, are expected to be open to the public.

A brochure with information about the Arlington School District and the superintendent job is being sent to more than 3,000 people, said Mark Venn, a search consultant for Northwest Leadership Associates.

“The (school) board really wanted to move forward,” he said. “They didn’t want to put it on hold. I think they’re going to find a really good candidate, it’s just a matter of who they choose.”

In an open letter, Arlington School Board President Ursula Ghirardo urged people to “join the board in embracing this challenge” of finding another strong leader.

More information about the superintendent search, including links to the surveys, is online at asd.wednet.edu/communications/superintendent_search.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.