(ABC 6 News) – The Kasson-Mantorville School Board has launched an anonymous public survey for stakeholder to help search for new superintendent.

The survey will be open through Jan. 7, 2024. To complete the survey CLICK HERE.

This comes after the district’s previous superintendent, Mark Matuska, left to take another job just weeks before the start of the school year.

Kasson Mantorville School Boards asks business owners, agricultural workers, guardians, school staff members, students and community members to fill out the survey.

To provide ensure access to accurate information regarding the search, the Minnesota School Boards Association will held a virtual Q&A at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. A recording of the Q&A will be posted on the district’s website.

MSBA stressed how important it is for them to hear from the community so they can hire the best candidate for the role.

The survey asks what characteristics stakeholders believe the next superintendent should have, what traits or skills they must possess and preferred areas of expertise.

The survey also asks stakeholders what challenges they predict the district could face within the next five years.

According to state law, the new hire won’t be requires to live in the Kasson-Mantorville district area, though the MSBA says they’re searching for a candidate who will dedicate themselves to the community.

“We know it’s really important to communities that the superintendent be involved in the community and be very, very visible, so the school board can set those expectations with the superintendent,” said Barb Dorn, Director of Leadership Development and Executive Search with the MSBA.

The board prefers the new superintendent have prior experience, but it won’t be required.

“We wanna hear from stakeholders to see if they believe it is important or not,” said Amy Jordan, Executive Search Specialist with the MSBA.

The community won’t know who the candidates are until finalists are selected for interviews in February.

“Names will only become public if and once they’re selected for an interview,” said Jordan.

The MSBA says the search is about quality, not quantity.

“Things have become more difficult for superintendent roles, and so while the number of candidates is fewer, the quality of candidates has really gone up,” said Jordan.