The Warren County School District board is moving forward with its search for a new superintendent.

At its meeting last week, the board approved a contract with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association to aid in the search process.

Of the four plans presented to the board by PSBA last month, which ranged from a simple job posting for $575 to a comprehensive plan that helps the board through the entire search process for $15,000, the comprehensive package was chosen. Half of the cost will be charged at the beginning of the contract and half will be charged at the conclusion of the search.

Under the plan presented to the district, PSBA will provide consultation and clerical services to the district in six phases:

Phase I: Planning the search

Phase II: Advertising campaign and application administration

Phase III: Screening and selection for interviews

Phase IV: Board interviewing of candidates

Phase V: References

Phase VI: Appointment

Details of what each phase will entail are not provided in the contract. According to the agreement with PSBA, “details of each phase will be determined in consultation with the board. The executive search will follow a schedule developed by the consultant and the board of school directors, which is open to necessary adjustments, and will continue until a superintendent is appointed.”

Initial consultation with PSBA is slated for board committee meetings on Nov. 20. Due to the timing of the municipal election, those elected to join the incoming board in December will be invited to join the sitting board at the meeting.

WCSD Superintendent Amy Stewart noted a search for her replacement could take months and may require the appointment of an interim superintendent until a final candidate is appointed.

She told the board that she had reached out to all administrators in the district in possession of a state certified, superintendent-level letter of eligibility to gauge their interest in serving in the role. According to Stewart, only one individual expressed an interest.

She urged the board to get started on the process of appointing an interim superintendent to ensure an individual is able to fulfill the job duties through selection of a permanent superintendent. She reported she will prepare a recommendation for board consideration.

The board is looking for a new superintendent after Stewart announced her pending retirement in August. Stewart intends to retire in March of next year.