St. Louis Park schools have hired a consulting firm to help find the district's next top leader.
On Friday, the board hired School Exec Connect, a firm that specializes in superintendent searches and has conducted more than 40 national searches in the past year, including for the Eden Prairie, West St. Paul and South Washington County school districts.
After leading the district for nine years, Debra Bowers is leaving when her contract ends this summer. Last month, the board opened the search to internal candidates, employees with a superintendent's license or who are in a licensure program. Spokeswoman Sara Thompson said she didn't know how many people had applied; the board meets next on Tuesday.
Board chair Bruce Richardson has said the 4,400-student district's next leader will have to continue its strategic plan and help the first-ring suburban district compete with urban and suburban schools. The board is likely to select a new leader by April or May.
