The firm looking for the new superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools is in the district to hear from parents this week. Representatives from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYAA) held an open forum Tuesday to get input from parents on the search.
Trust, financial accumen and communication skills were several traits that parents said they wanted to see in the new superintendent.
HYAA has been hired to find potential replacements for former Superintendent Ann Cardon who resigned from the post under scrutinized circumstances less than three months into the job.
Jim Morris of HYAA says Cardon's departure has made their search harder.
"But... experienced superintendents understand every district has challenges so they're usually prepared for those kinds of things," Morris said.
Jennifer Anderson, a TCAPS parent and wife of School Board Member Matt Anderson, says she hopes a new superintendent can unite the fractured district.
"I think there are lots of positives, but I think they're gonna have to step in the remnants of a hostile situation," Anderson said.
HYAA is holding another forum Wednesday at 6 p.m. at West Middle School. They're expected to give a list of candidates to the school board in April.
