Big changes are coming to the Warren County School District and the board is looking to make the transitions as seamless as possible.

In August, Superintendent Amy Stewart announced her intent to retire as of March 1, 2024, prompting the district to begin consideration on the search for her replacement.

At the same time, a new board is set to be seated following the November municipal election which will include only three current members.

There are currently six candidates on the ballot running unopposed for six open seats. None of the candidates are current board members.

The new board will be seated at the annual re-organizational meeting on Dec. 4.

The three remaining board members are serving terms that do not expire until 2025.

On Monday, the current board invited the likely incoming board members to attend its Personnel, Athletics & Co-Curricular Activities Committee to discuss the search for a superintendent and hear presentations from potential consultants for the search. The invitation aimed to ensure the incoming board had feedback into the search process, as it would ultimately be tasked with choosing a new superintendent.

Both the Pennsylvania School Board Association and Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5, which is the intermediate unit for the district, provided presentations.

IU5 provided material regarding its role in a search earlier this year for a superintendent to serve Millcreek Township School District and an outline of a 90-day timeline proposal for action.

The PSBA presented four consulting options, ranging from a full-service package to a posting on the PSBA Career Gateway job board. Under the comprehensive package, listed at $15,000, PSBA would cover nearly all aspects of the superintendent search short of actual selection of a successful applicant. Under a search support option, listed at $5,000, the group would serve in a role closer to a consultant than a hands-on recruitment service. Under an application management package, listed at $2,500, PSBA would provide a recruitment and advertising campaign and handle application submissions. The final package, listed at $575, would provide for a post on the PSBA job board.

After discussion, the committee opted to include a motion on the agenda for the full board to consider utilizing PSBA as the consultant in the search at its regular meeting Nov. 6.

It was also decided to wait until after the Nov. 7 municipal general election, once new board members have officially been elected, to discuss what criteria to consider for a successful superintendent candidate. Newly elected members will be invited to subsequent meetings for the discussion.

It was also noted the board could begin to look into potential candidates to serve in an interim role if a replacement for Stewart could not be found by her retirement date.