Lehighton Area School District is asking its stakeholders to chime in as it continues a search for a permanent superintendent.

A survey has been posted on the district website seeking input regarding the qualities and skills that Lehighton’s next superintendent should possess.

The survey can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3x2d3ID.

“The board has designed a selection plan which is currently underway and will continue over the next several weeks,” acting Superintendent Jack Corby said Monday night. “It is now in the process of gathering additional information as to the skills, attributes or qualities of the next superintendent.”

The survey, which Corby said is geared toward stakeholders including, but not limited to, parents, students, staff, community members and business leaders, asks for the top three criteria desired in the next superintendent. It also asks what should the superintendent’s primary focus be in his/her first year of employment, what is the greatest strength of the Lehighton Area School District, and what is the greatest area that is in need of improvement in the Lehighton Area School District?

“The board has invested a very big amount of time and effort to ensure the district gets the most qualified candidate,” Corby said. “It won’t settle for anything else. We appreciate everyone’s support throughout the process.”

Last month, Lehighton directors unanimously approved an agreement extending through Aug. 1 calling for the CLIU to provide search services at a set fee of $5,000 plus other expenses such as advertising.

Kimberly Talipan, CLIU assistant to the executive director, has been Lehighton’s liaison throughout the process.

“I’ve worked with Kim for a number of years and she has an extensive human resources background,” Corby said.

The job was officially posted on March 17. Information, including a link to the application packet, is also available on the district’s website, www.lehighton.org.

The application packet submission deadline, to ensure inclusion in the screening process, is April 18, 2022.

Corby was hired as interim superintendent on Dec. 20 at $600 per day through, at the latest, June 30, 2022, while the district searches for someone to fill the post permanently.

Lehighton terminated the contract of Jonathan Cleaver, who had been superintendent for nine years, on Dec. 8, alleging previous boards approved illegal contract extensions.

Two days later, Cleaver filed a lawsuit against the district alleging breach of contract. Cleaver and the district were in court last week and await a ruling from Carbon County Common Pleas Judge Roger Nanovic on preliminary objections by the district to the lawsuit.