Profiling the next Edmonds school leader is a public event

Published 1:30 am Monday, November 4, 2019

EDMONDS — Teachers, parents, students and community members get a chance this week to weigh in on what qualities they would like the next superintendent of the Edmonds School District to possess.

Ray and Associates, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is conducting a national search for a successor to Superintendent Kristine McDuffy, who plans to retire June 30.

But first the firm wants to gather input on what to include in the job posting that will be go out in late November.

On Monday, company representatives will hold a series of 45-minute meetings at both Alderwood and College Place middle schools. Sessions are planned on each campus at 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, meetings will be held at those same times in the Brier-Terrace Middle School Commons.

Also Tuesday, meetings are planned in the board room of the Educational Services Center at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Wednesday, the firm will hold a final batch of confabs in the commons of Meadowdale Middle School at 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

In addition, there’s an online survey anyone can complete. Survey takers are asked to choose 10 preferred traits from a list of 35. The survey is open until 8 a.m. Nov. 16.

The company is looking to post the job in November and accept applications until February. If all goes as planned, the finalists would be interviewed in March and a decision made by the school board in April.

Directors have said they want to have the new superintendent start work July 1.

McDuffy announced in August that she would serve one final year before retiring. She said she wanted to give the board ample time to find her replacement.

With an enrollment of nearly 21,000 students, Edmonds is the county’s largest school district. It has an annual operating budget of $321.6 million.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@herald net.com. Twitter: @dospueblos.