The Natrona County School Board will start its search for a new superintendent by devising a list of qualities members want in a top executive.

School board members are expected to meet in executive session soon to start the process. The person selected will replace Superintendent Jim Lowham, who's retiring at the end of June 2008.

After the executive session, Chairwoman Shannon Jackett said she anticipates the board will involve the public and school district employees. With the search in the preliminary stages, salary, the exact type of search process and other factors still have to be worked out.

Although they haven't meet as a group yet, several members gave their thoughts on what they want in a superintendent.

Jackett said it's important to her to have someone who can work with the board and the public.

"I'm also looking for someone who has high moral values and ethics," she said.

Board member Jim Bush said he hopes the person selected reflects the values of the community.

"This person will have a lasting impact on the district," Bush said, adding that the new superintendent will help guide and shape the curriculum.

One of the characteristics Vice Chairwoman Suzanne Sandoval said she likes in Lowham is that he empowers his people to make their own decisions. That quality creates job satisfaction among the other administrators. Sandoval said Lowham also isn't afraid to step in when needed, which is another good quality in a leader.

School board member Elizabeth Horsch said she would like to see someone who has a strong academic background, who can work with the community and who knows what it's like to be a teacher. She said Lowham has done a great job, and she wants someone of his caliber.

"You always want someone who is a fine, compassionate person so they're a model for the kids and the employees," Horsch said.

Once the process officially starts, Jackett doesn't anticipate there will be any problems getting someone interested in Casper. The area has a metropolitan feel without having the traffic and other problems found in the larger cities, she said.

"I think the Casper area has a lot to offer," Jackett said, adding that the community has a thriving economy and other amenities.

Jackett said it's difficult to pinpoint an exact salary now because the board will be looking at a candidate's qualifications and experience. Those two factors determine how much a person will be paid.

Generally, school districts will offer a salary range when advertising for the position, said Mark Higdon, executive director of the Wyoming School Boards Association. He said it's hard to determine an average superintendent salary for the state because the school districts vary in size.

The association does do superintendent searches and charges a discounted rate of about $6,000 to its members. Some of the services covered under that fee include advertising, performing background checks on the candidates and organizing the interview process. The school board does the actual interviews and the association isn't involved, Higdon said.

He estimated that about 90 percent of the time, districts in Wyoming use some type of search firm.

Reporter Aimee Tabor can be reached at (307) 266-0593 or aimee.tabor@casperstartribune.net.