The Dallas County School Board has taken the first step in what is predicted to be a three-month process to find a new superintendent, says board chairman Ollis Grayson.

Last week the board began advertising the position through the media and made Statement of Interest forms available at the system’s central office and on its Web site.

The board also created a brochure for potential candidates outlining the qualifications to be considered for an interview.

These qualifications include a master’s degree, classroom teaching experience and at least five years of administrative experience in a public school system as superintendent, assistant superintendent, administrator, supervisor or principal.

The brochure also states that candidates must reside or be willing to relocate to Dallas County.

Grayson said board members Mark Story and Roy Edwards were appointed to handle the initial screening process of applicants.

“Once all the applications are in, the board is going to decide how to do the selection process,” Grayson said. “We are still in discussions about who can be on the screening committee with Mark and Roy to determine which candidates will be interviewed.”

Grayson said the Statement of Interest forms, along with official school transcripts, must be mailed to the board by March 11 and the interview process would begin by on March 28.

“All the interviews will be done in open and we will notify the public of who the candidates are,” Grayson said. “The superintendent position is open to anyone who is interested.”

The board hopes to appoint a new superintendent by April 15.

Grayson said whoever takes on the role of the new Dallas County superintendent should expect to face some obstacles, including the system’s large debt.

“There are some tough decisions that have to be made,” Grayson said. “Cuts have to be made in high places. It’s going to be hard, but we got to do something.”

Wayne May, the current superintendent, announced his retirement at the January 10, board meeting.

May had been the county superintendent since 2001.

Candidate applications can be picked up at the front desk of the Dallas County School Board offices at 429 Lauderdale Street or online at www.dallask12.org.

The applications must be mailed to Dallas County Schools, Superintendent Search, Attention: John Philcher at P.O. Box 1250 Selma 36702-1250.