FARMINGTON — A survey for Regional School Unit 9 residents to indicate the qualities they want most in a new superintendent is available online and at town offices and libraries.

The school board is seeking input in hiring a successor to Tom Ward who will retire June 30.  

The Superintendent Search Committee is also asking for participants to be on an interview panel.

The committee listed five qualities the board of directors feels are valuable in a superintendent: communication, community relations, leadership, school finance/budgeting and school management.

Survey participants are asked to rank them in order of importance, with number one being most important.

The survey is available at mbrsd.org and at facebook.com/MBRSD. Hard copies are available at town offices and libraries in the 10 district municipalities. 

The survey will close March 2.

The committee will also assemble an interview panel that includes staff, parents and community members. Those interested must commit to being available after 4 p.m. on March 6, 14, 16, 19, 22 and 23, although there may not be a meeting all those days.

A schedule will be distributed to interview committee members March 6. Those not selected will be notified before March 6, according to information posted on the district’s website.

Those interested are also asked to submit very brief answers to a series of questions, including why they want to be on the committee and their understanding of confidentiality in the hiring process.

The answers may be emailed to Cindy Dixon at cdixon@mtbluersd.org with Interview Committee in the subject line. They can also be mailed to: Cindy Dixon, Interview Committee, 129 Seamon Road, Suite 2, Farmington, ME 04938. All responses must be received no later than 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Applications for the superintendent position are due to the Maine School Management Association on Feb. 23.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net