EDMONDS — The new superintendent of the Edmonds School District is going to have to be a very talented person.
The to-do list was so long after one of the districtwide forums designed to gather information about what traits candidates should have that participants had to wonder who would apply for the job.
Forums were held to gather input from school staff and the community. While no more forums are scheduled, comments can be made through Dec. 30 on the district’s Web site.
When superintendent Wayne Robertson announced Nov. 25 that he would retire June 30, district staff began scheduling forums to help create a picture of who an ideal candidate would be.
The job is scheduled to be posted nationwide in mid-January.
The list compiled so far reveals high expectations for the new superintendent and hopes of a diverse background, an open mind and open ears.
"I want the person to be politically active in Olympia and willing to talk about funding," said district food services director Barb Lloyd.
"Someone with a broad vision … but who will also look at the whole child," added Chase Lake Community School teacher Patti Boyle.
Other traits include a broad value system, classroom experience, leadership skills and the willingness to take responsibility for tough decisions.
As for what the group hopes the new superintendent will address first, listening and learning topped the list.
"They should make a presence in the community and get to know us," said Judy McCoid, a teacher at Seaview Elementary School. "Instead of coming in with an outside agenda, they need to take time to get to know the whole district."
Continuing to work with the state-mandated goals of the recently implemented federal No Child Left Behind act and supporting teachers to improve scores on the annual Washington Assessment of Student Learning exams also were brought up.
While district staff said they benefit greatly from the community and staff members’ honest comments, those who participated said they too were grateful for the opportunity.
"It’s absolutely necessary to do this," said district mathematics coordinator Ann Carlstrom. "And I know that everything said here will be taken to heart and made a part of the district’s search."
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