Federal Way Public Schools’ search for its new superintendent will hit a major milestone next Wednesday, Feb. 25, when candidate applications are due.

The superintendent search conducted by consultant firm Ray and Associates was informed largely based on the 10 preferred skills and characteristics of a superintendent candidate developed from a series of telephone and email surveys, stakeholder meetings and the citizens and students superintendent search board advisory committees. These qualities were approved by the board.

“It was quite inclusive,” said Diane Turner, the school district’s former executive director of communications, who is on special assignment to advise the superintendent search. “A lot of time was taken to identify those 10 qualities and to gather them from as many parts of the community as possible.”

Turner said on March 7 the school board will review the applications and select a list of finalists. On April 15 the board will hire their preferred candidate and negotiate a contract.

Sometime between Feb. 25 and April 15 there will be several opportunities for the committees, the school board and the public to meet and get to know the candidates. At press time, times and dates for these meetings were not yet finalized.

Rob Neu, the former superintendent of Federal Way Public Schools, resigned in April 2014. He served as superintendent since July 1, 2010.

The school board appointed Sally McLean, the assistant superintendent of business services, to be the interim superintendent on May 13.

The search for a new superintendent to lead the eighth-largest school district in Washington state began officially on Sept. 24 when a request for proposals was issued to solicit a search consultant firm.

“This (school) board has been very committed to transparency and engaging and listening to the community so that they can make the best decision for the future of our school district and our children,” Turner said.