The search for the person who will lead the Lakeland School District into the next school year has begun.
The district began advertising for the superintendent position Monday after the board announced that it would not automatically renew the contract of current Superintendent Margaret Billings-Jones, Ed.D., at a July meeting. The advertisement lists a number of credentials and qualities sought, but board member Casey Patuk said there's one overall thing he's looking for in a candidate.
"I'm just looking for a strong leader, somebody that's honest and somebody that's going to trudge ahead to make Lakeland the best it can be," he said.
Likening the application process to a competition, he said he hopes to see applications from a variety of candidates - which could include the current superintendent.
"The position is open to everybody, and that goes for Margaret, also," he said. "She has the same opportunity to bring to the table what she's going to do for Lakeland."
Efforts to reach Dr. Billings-Jones were unsuccessful.
Board President Mary Retzbach said there are also a few key qualities she has in mind.
"We want somebody strong in curriculum, someone who is honest and has great people skills," she said. "Those are the ones that stand out in my mind."
Applications will be accepted until Dec. 7, at which point the board will open all submissions as a group, Ms. Retzbach explained. She hopes to complete interviews in January and February, and select a candidate in April.
"We want to do it collectively," she said of the review process.
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association might also assist with the process, she added.
"They'll compile the questions and help with the interviews," she said of the possible services. "They'll call all your references for you."
Mr. Patuk believes that the organization could help streamline the search.
"Having their expertise will help us weed people out and see certain qualifications," he said.
The board will meet with a representative from the PSBA next month to discuss if and how services will be used, but Ms. Retzbach said she had heard positive feedback at a recent conference.
"They can really pinpoint what your board is looking for," she said.
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter