The next Seattle Schools' superintendent must work to rebuild trust within the community as well as prepare a plan to increase academic achievement equitably, parents told the national search firm hired to look for a new district chief.

About 15 people came to Madison Middle School last Wednesday evening to tell representatives from the Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based company, Ray and Associates, what characteristics they'd like to have in a new district leader. It was one of the last in a series of public meetings across the city to develop a "profile" for desired candidates.

The district launched a search for a new district chief in November after superintendent Raj Manhas announced he would leave the position this August.

The new superintendent will face some major challenges within the Seattle School District. Parents listed easing transitions related to school closures and consolidations, improving math and science scores on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning exam and closing the achievement gap between white and minority students as examples.

Diversity, strong community partnerships and English language learner programs, as well as the its open enrollment policy, were listed as some of the district's major strengths. Parent Claire Foster said Seattle as whole is a city that values education and supports its schools.

Another parent, Julie Howell, lauded Superintendent Manhas for helping put the district back on "strong financial footing," after years of being in the red.

Howell said the next superintendent should make every effort to understand the individual schools within the district.

"We've had a really painful couple of years in this school district," said Howell, speaking of the last two school closure processes. "Our next superintendent needs to get in there and learn about our schools and know what it is they are leading."

Several people said they wanted the role to be filled by someone unafraid to take control of the district and change the direction of the School Board if necessary. One man said that potential candidates should be aware of the current political climate surrounding the district.

"The political climate for the school system is not good," he said. "I think they are coming into a political morass."

Five of seven elected School Board members could face a recall election and three Seattle legislators recently introduced a bill that would allow citizens to replace elected school-board members with an appointed one.

But Jim Shoemake with Ray & Associates said Seattle's political climate is not unusual to large urban school districts.

"The strengths that are in this school district - you'll see a lot of candidates who'll want to put it together," said Shoemake.

Parents filled out a survey in which they chose the 10 most desired characteristics and qualifications in a superintendent out of a list of 32 options. After compiling the surveys from several community, staff and school administration meetings, the search firm will present the School Board with the top rated answers at a board meeting on Jan.31.

At that meeting, the board will vote one a final character and professional profile for the next district leader. From there, the firm will launch its national search.

"This is a wide open search, there are no predetermined candidates," said John Young, an associate of the search firm and retired school district superintendent. "We're looking for quality people."

Under a tentative schedule, a list of about 10 to 14 candidates could be presented to the board by the end of March. Names of candidates will not be released, even to board members, until the list is narrowed to the top two or three.

"People who've been successful in their district don't want to be seen by their current board or district as being disloyal to their current job," said Young.

However, if one candidate stands out above the rest, the firm will encourage the School Board to actively recruit that person, said Young.

"It really is their (superintendent candidates') market because the pool of people wanting to be superintendents has shrunk," said Young.

The district is not using a community advisory committee to advise the board on potential candidates as it has in past superintendent searches, but there will be more opportunities throughout the search and interview process for the public to weigh in, Shoemake said.

The School Board has set a new salary range of $240,000 annually for the next superintendent. Manhas makes about $177,000 a year.

The expected start date for the new superintendent is July 1.

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at 783.1244 or rebekahs@ballardnewstribune.com