The Fresno Unified superintendent search is officially underway with the Fresno Unified School Board looking to appoint a permanent replacement on an expedited timeline.

The third party search firm, McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., posted the superintendent opening Monday.

According to the job posting, the Board hopes to have a candidate assume responsibilities on July 1. But the official start date remains to be determined.

The lead consultant from the search firm, Ben Johnson, emphasized the importance of finding the perfect candidate during a recent Board meeting. This could mean extending the proposed timeline.

“This isn’t a situation where you ever deserve to settle,” Johnson told the Board during a recent meeting.

Johnson expects around 40 applicants with about 12 candidates meeting expectations and criteria.

Fresno Unified Superintendent Search Timelines Pushed Up

The current search process timeline, released Jan. 13, states that the board will vote on superintendent finalists on April 9.

Later that month, on April 23, a contract will be presented to the board for approval.

This is sooner than the Board’s original plan to sign a contract by the end of May.

Board President Valerie Davis tells GV Wire that she is confident in the timeline, something that was missing during last years failed search.

“It feels great. It feels like we’re on a roll and we have some definite timelines that we truly didn’t have with our last firm,” Davis said.

Related Story: Recruiter Withdraws From ‘Compromised’ FUSD Superintendent Search

Before that, the search firm will recruit and screen applicates throughout the nation to compile a list of qualified candidates.

Additionally, they will provide video interviews of selected applicants for the Board to review.

This is under a $34,500 contract with the firm. The contract not only includes labor costs but also money needed for advertising, traveling, and background checks.

Related Story: Fresno Unified Hires Firm for National Superintendent Search

The Board will review candidates and conduct interviews in early April, according to the timeline.

Superintendent Criteria Laid Out By the Board

The job posting said the Board is look for “a highly qualified, fully certified, educational leader” to fulfil the role of Superintendent.

The listing outlined district metrics, expectations of the superintendent, district goals, and exclusionary criteria for candidates.

Candidates must have K-12 teaching or administrative experience and district level leadership experience.

“You are not a beginner district … You can’t have a newbie start off in a district this size,” Johnson said, praising the criteria.

Previous performance will be closely examined as an indicator of future performance in the district, Johnson explained.

The newly adopted board goals and guardrails, specific to the district, were also highlighted. These are designed to outline expectations for district leadership — including the next superintendent.

Related Story: Has Fresno Unified Finally Planted the Flag for an Academic Revolution?

The Board is looking for a candidate that doesn’t just meet requirements but “fits” the district and their specific needs.

In the past, the district has failed to get 50% of students to meet standards. To combat this, the district is leading through student focused governance.

“We’re (the Board) hoping that the superintendent will have the student outcomes in mind with every decision that he or she makes,” Davis said.

The Board expects the superintendent to prioritize student achievement and bring much needed change, and community members agree.

“Someone who is proactive and has a plan, not just goals. That’s the type of person we need. Someone to change the culture,” Fresno Teacher Association President, Manuel Bonilla, said in previous interview with GV Wire.

The consensus among Board and community members is the same: The district needs a superintendent that produces real results.