Everett High School. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

Everett High School. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

Everett district gathering ideas about new leader qualities

It has been a decade since the school board has had to look for a superintendent.

EVERETT — It’s time to choose.

The Everett School Board has begun a three-month search for a new superintendent to lead an increasingly diverse district of more than 20,000 students where families speak 97 different languages from around the world.

“I know there are a lot of community members interested in the process and they will definitely have a voice,” school board President Carol Andrews said.

It has been a decade since the board has had to look for a superintendent. Gary Cohn, who was hired in 2009, will retire at the end of the school year.

Earlier this week, the district began an online survey looking for the kinds of qualities people want in a superintendent. The information-gathering tool is called Thoughtexchange and it will be used to collect parent, staff, student and community feedback through Feb. 10.

Participants are asked to respond to two open-ended questions and then rate ideas shared by others. Thoughts and ratings are anonymous and new ideas will be added to the conversation as others join in the exchange.

The district encourages the community to return often to view and rate additional thoughts.

“We will definitely be looking at the results,” Andrews said.

The board hopes to hire a search firm by Feb. 22, and the information will be shared with the consultant. The district will advertise and recruit for the opening between Feb. 25 and March 22. By March 26, the board plans to select finalists.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.

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