What do you want in a superintendent?

COEUR d’ALENE — The search is on to find a new superintendent for the Coeur d'Alene School District, and the district wants to hear from you.

A survey is now open for parents, students, district employees and community members alike to share their thoughts on the work the district is doing and what they want in a leader to replace Superintendent Steve Cook.

Cook, who has been with the district since July 2018, accepted the position of superintendent with the Bend-La Pine School District in Oregon and will leave at the end of the current school year. The school board is working now with executive search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to find the next superintendent.

Coeur d'Alene has had four superintendents in 13 years: Hazel Bauman, 2008 to July 2013; Matt Handelman, July 2013 to May 2017; Stan Olson (interim), June 2017 to June 2018; and Cook.

"Finding the best person to lead our school district is the most important decision the school board makes," Board Chair Jen Brumley said Monday. "To help guide our search, we want to hear from parents and students, as well as from district staff and residents, on what qualities we should expect in our next superintendent, as well as what they see as this district's key strengths and most pressing challenges."

The survey, found at https://ecrasurvey.com/coeurdalene21, closes Feb. 25.

The search firm will host several focus groups with district stakeholders to gather input on what people want in their superintendent. District residents are invited to participate in a public focus group with the search consultants via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 22, from 6 to 7 p.m.

"With these insights, the board will know what our community perceives to be high-priority issues that our next superintendent will face, and will help us find a leader with the best mix of experience, skills and qualities needed to be successful in this job," Brumley said.

To participate in the public focus group, RSVP board clerk Lynn Towne at ltowne@cdaschools.org no later than Friday with full names and email address. Participants will receive an invitation with a link to the Zoom meeting.

Info: www.cdaschools.org