The Kent School Board is looking for a superintendent who first and foremost has the leadership skills for the challenges of an ethnically and culturally diverse community.

That was the outcome of community meetings to finalize the list of 10 characteristics that will be used in the search for a replacement to superintendent Barbara Grohe, who is retiring next summer at the end of the 2008-09 school year.

In addition, the board decided $240,000 will be the salary for the next superintendent.

Though it wasn’t the highest-ranked characteristic to the board, which cited “experience in management of district resources” as most important, experience with diversity rose to the top in the results of recent community meetings with residents, teachers, administrators and business leaders.

“Every group said one of the real strengths of this district is the cultural diversity,” said Jim Shoemake, a consultant with Ray and Associates, the national executive recruiter hired by the board to assist in finding a new superintendent.

The list of 10 characteristics was developed by Ray and Associates, the Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based firm hired by the district to assist the search, and drawn from 12 meetings conducted with various groups throughout the community.

Among the other characteristics, according to Ray, are a person who:

• “Inspires trust, self-confidence and models high standards of integrity.”

• “Will listen to input but can make a decision.”

• “Demonstrates strong communication skills.”

• Is dedicated to a “student-first” philosophy.”

• And can “develop and direct an effective team.”

The final 10 were selected from 32 characteristics that were suggested at the series of meetings. Each was ranked, with the top 10 becoming the search criteria.

There were differences between the groups, however. For example, union leaders selected diversity experience as most important, while teachers want a leader who will inspire trust, and the classified (non-teachers) staff leadership team chose a willingness to listen and to make a decision when necessary.

“I think these are pretty strong attributes,” said board member Bill Boyce.

The board also settled on a salary for the incoming superintendent, deciding on a sum of $240,000 plus health benefits and vacation time – a total that is consistent with similar-size school districts in Washington.

“It’s pretty much right in line with the top five” largest districts, Boyce said, adding that Tacoma School District’s superintendent is paid the same amount.

According to the board, Grohe’s total compensation package totals $267,000.

Shoemake said the meetings with the community – including Oct. 1 at the district’s Administration Center and Oct. 2 at Jenkins Creek Elementary School in Covington – were generally well-attended, especially one with teachers. More important, he said, was the quality of responses as opposed to the quantity.

The next step in the search is to advertise nationally for qualified applicants. Shoemake said he expects 35 to 50 applicants will be reviewed by Ray and Associates and narrowed to about 15, from which the board will make its selection.

“We’ll go national, but we’ll also look in-state” for candidates, Shoemake said.

The board hired Ray and Associates in August. The cost of the search is expected to be between $25,000 and $35,000.