SEQUIM — The Sequim School Board is taking another step in the search for a new district superintendent.

The board and its newly hired search firm, McPherson & Jacobson, will open the district’s doors Jan. 18 to hear what qualities the public and district staff want in the top executive.

Everyone from school support staff to students to the general public will be asked for their comments.

“We have a need to make sure that the person fits a lot of needs,” said Sarah Bedinger, School Board chairwoman.

The Sequim School Board recently contracted with McPherson & Jacobson to help search for a new superintendent to succeed Bill Bentley, who resigned effective June 30 to seek other opportunities.

McPherson & Jacobson is providing a decision-making model for the school board. The firm is headquartered in Omaha, Neb.

Bentley announced at the Nov. 7 board meeting that he was resigning at the end of the 2011-12 school year.

He has been with the district since July 1, 2007.

McPherson & Jacobson consultant Richard Parker, who is based in Langley, helped the board begin the task of developing selection criteria during a Dec. 13 planning meeting.

The five-member school board identified a list of desirable characteristics for superintendent candidates, and developed a schedule for interviews and screening.

Parker can be reached by email at parker@

macnjake.com.

On Jan. 18, the board has scheduled the following comment meetings:

■   8:30 a.m., with administration and support staff in the school board room at the Sequim High School building, 503 N. Sequim Ave.

■   10 a.m., meet with district office staff in the board room.

■   11:30 a.m., meet with maintenance/para-educators and support staff in the board room.

■   1 p.m., meet with high school and middle school students, at Sequim High School Auditorium.

■   3:30 p.m., meet with teachers, paraeducators and secretaries in the auditorium.

■   6:30 p.m., meet with parents and the public in the auditorium.

On Jan. 19, the board and search firm will meet with the school transportation staff in the board room at 8:15 a.m.

Anyone can attend any group that fits their schedule.

All groups will be responding to the same sets of questions from the search firm.

An online survey will be set up later.

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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.