The Federal Way School Board has taken the next step in selecting a new superintendent. The board hired McPherson and Jacobson as the search firm to look for a new top dog in the school district.

The firm was one of four firms that pitched their leadership to the board at a work study meeting on Dec. 1.

The board narrowed it down to the top two, but ultimately, McPherson and Jacobson prevailed.

“Both finalists seem to impress all of us,” board member Angela Griffin said. “Both had the contacts and background to do a national search.”

However, it was McPherson and Jocobson’s more “West Coast centric” approach that appealed to the school board, said board member Suzanne Smith.

Smith stated that in this economy and housing, it may be difficult to convince someone to move across the country. Therefore, someone with a better access to West Coast talent might be the best choice, she said.

McPherson and Jacobs have been conducting national searches since 1991, and have done numerous searches for school boards in the past. They have more than 70 consultants across the United States and have four in Washington. The firm’s home office is located in Omaha, Neb.

The base cost for conducting the superintendent search is set at $23,500.

The board will still appoint a citizen’s advisory committee in the coming months. A new superintendent will be announced in May 2010, and will take over for current superintendent Tom Murphy in July.

On Oct. 13, Murphy announced his retirement, effective June, 30, 2010.