DIXFIELD — The Regional School Unit 10 board of directors Wednesday night got advice from a member of the Maine School Management Association about finding a new superintendent.

Acting Deputy Executive Director Elaine Tomaszewski, speaking via videoconferencing, said the association could help develop a profile for candidates, recruit and screen candidates and write press releases. A finalist could be named by August, but the person probably wouldn’t be available before December, she said.

The search was prompted by Craig King resignation, effective Aug. 15. He is taking a similar position in the Gray-New Gloucester school district.

“We’re fresh and green starting a new superintendent’s search,” board Chairman Bruce Ross of Dixfield said. He said King has offered to help.

The board will decide whether to seek an interim superintendent before searching for a permanent one.

Board member Jen LeDuc of Rumford said the district is in a unique position because five of the 12 district towns will vote in November on whether to leave the district.

“We are fracturing,” she said. “It’s important that all towns take part (in the search).”

Board member Jerry Wiley of Buckfield said he’d rather think positive.

“We would tell them (about the possible split), but we need an interim in the meantime,” Wiley said.

Ross said the district needs a superintendent, no matter how many towns are in it.

“Someone needs to lead the district,” he said.

Residents of Canton, Carthage, Dixfield and Peru, which made up School Administrative District 21 before the state school consolidation law went into effect, and Byron will vote in November on whether to leave the district.

The other towns are Rumford, Mexico, Roxbury, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner and Hanover.

“One way or another, there will be an RSU 10,” Ross said. “Maybe smaller, but we must move forward.”