A survey to assist Palmerton Area School District in its search for a new superintendent is available online.

The school board hopes to involve others - district staff members, parents, students and other stakeholders - in the search through their participation in the survey.The link to the survey is available on the district's web site,

www.palmerton.org, for interested parties who choose to complete and submit responses. The survey will be available until Dec. 14.The board has formally launched the search, and the application period for the next superintendent of schools is open.Last month, the board agreed to approve the services of the Pennsylvania School Board Association for the search, at an amount not to exceed $10,400. With over 20 years of experience to executive searches, the PSBA will lead the district through all aspects of the search process, such as a comprehensive advertising campaign; stakeholder surveys and focus groups; and a customized candidate interview process.The project will be facilitated by a team of professionals at the association, with Dr. Britta Barrickman as the lead consultant.The board anticipates the appointment of a new superintendent in the spring of 2013.In August, the board unanimously agreed to accept the letter from current Superintendent Carol Boyce for nonrenewal of her appointment to the post when her contract expires this summer.Also at that time, the board, in accordance with the superintendent's contract, unanimously agreed to notify Boyce that her contract ending June 30, 2013, would not be renewed.Both the board, as well as Boyce, have stated that the decision to part ways was "mutual."Boyce was hired by the district on July 1, 2008.