Who should be the new Wake superintendent? How you can help shape the decision.

The Wake County school system is looking for the public’s help in hiring a new superintendent.

Wake County Superintendent Catty Moore is retiring at the end of the school year, effective July 1. The school board is using surveys and public meetings to find out what characteristics parents, community members and school employees would like to see in the next superintendent.

“Picking a superintendent is one of the most important things — if not the most important thing — we do as a board,” school board vice chair Chris Heagarty said at the last board meeting. “While it’s not a popularity contest, while it’s not a referendum, all of the feedback that we collect will be instrumental.

“It will be key in developing the leadership profile that we use as we go out and look for the best candidates and evaluate them as they apply for this job.”

The first of two public input sessions will be held Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the school board meeting room at 5625 Dillard Drive in Cary. The second session will be held April 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the media center at Southeast Raleigh High School at 2600 Rock Quarry Drive, Raleigh.

Board members say they plan to hold other meetings where people can share with them what they want to see in the next superintendent.

Community and staff surveys

Surveys are available for school employees at the district’s Wake Connect website. Surveys for parents, students and community members can be found online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/G6FYBGQ.

School board chair Lindsay Mahaffey encouraged school employees who are also parents to fill out both surveys.

Surveys responses are due April 18, which is also the deadline for candidates to apply for the position.

The surveys ask questions such as how important is it for the superintendent to have ideas for closing achievement gaps, to have been an effective classroom teacher and to have leadership experience outside of education. Survey respondents will also be asked to select the top five qualities they prefer in a superintendent.

The N.C. School Boards Association will use the information to develop a leadership profile for the next superintendent. The school board’s timeline, which is subject to change, has it selecting the new superintendent in late June.

Go to wcpss.net/domain/20935 for more information on the superintendent search.