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The window to apply for the Ann Arbor Public Schools superintendent position closed Friday. And while the final application count has not been released, the search firm hired by AAPS is optimistic about the candidate pool.
AAPS Superintendent Patricia Green is retiring July 9. The Board of Education is in the process of hiring her replacement.
Newman said consultants with the search firm are screening the initial candidate pool this week and plan to communicate with the board by Friday about the applications.
"We would consider (the posting) to have been successful. The numbers don't matter anyway," Newman said. "It's really about how many quality applicants you receive. What we're doing is screening the applications to get down to those that really are qualified."
He said the consultants do background checks as well as interviews before communicating with the board.
"The Ann Arbor board was really serious about having a good match between their needs and the candidates' qualifications," Newman said.
He added that the board developed an extensive list of criteria, and Ray & Associates is comparing the applications yielded by the posting with that criteria.
Among the set of qualities the board stated it desires in a new superintendent is the ability to handle criticism and to build personal relationships with the school community. The board also specified the superintendent should have a "visionary drive" and experience working with media outlets and social media sites.
A representative from Ray & Associates is expected to be in Ann Arbor June 26 to meet with the school board in executive session to discuss the applications that make it past the initial screening. Following the 2 p.m. executive session meeting, the board will convene a regular meeting beginning at 7 p.m., at which the board will announce the semifinalists for the position.
The board is planning to schedule visits to the district and onsite interviews with each of the semifinalists the week of July 7, with finalists being announced at the end of the week and finalists' interviews taking place the week of July 14.
The Board of Education will conduct four community forums/feedback sessions on Wednesday, June 19, starting at 9 a.m. and stretching until 9:30 p.m.
The board wants to hear from community members about what they would value in the district's next superintendent, what qualities and career credentials the schools could benefit from as well as what questions the board should ask each of the candidates.
The board hopes to have a new leader in place in time for the start of the 2013-14 academic year this fall.
AAPS Superintendent Patricia Green will be retiring effective July 9 after two years in the district. She was hired in July 2011 on a five-year contract for $245,000. She resigned at around 1:30 a.m. on April 11.
The next superintendent will make between $180,000 to $220,000, the school board decided.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.