Qualified applicants have until Oct.18 to apply for the top spot at Port Neches-Groves Independent School District.

Trustees on Monday crafted the set of qualifications needed for a superintendent to run the district that houses 5,100 students and whose motto is “a tradition of excellence.”

Interim superintendent Jimmy Creel is helping to lead the search for a permanent leader, which is the reason he was brought on board in June.

“We had discussed what they want their superintendent to look like as far as criteria, what they want to base their decision on and this will help them (board members) when it’s time to evaluate applicants,” Creel said.

The board is performing their own search with the help of Creel as opposed to hiring a firm to perform the tasks.

“I told the board there are a lot of people who are qualified to do the job and can do the job. Our goal is to identify the person best fit for the job,” he said. “I think there are large numbers that are qualified and capable and it’s the board’s job to narrow it down to the best fit for the community.”

The qualifications sought include: doctorate or working towards, minimum of three years teaching experience, campus principal experience preferred, integrity and moral character, strong verbal and written communication skills, must live in the district, supportive of extracurricular activities with a proven track record in successful University Interscholastic League activities such as academic, athletic and fine arts, strong instructional leader, academic accountability, vision for providing professional growth, exemplary people skills, develop relationships to influence legislation and educational agenda, knowledgeable of school finance and Chapter 41, leadership experience with bond proposals and implementing school construction, record of competence in oversight and leadership of facility management and school support departments, and strong leader with demonstrated initiative to make recommendations to Board for school improvement.

“Dr. Creel was brought back here as interim with this specifically in mind. He’s going to help us seek out and find the most qualified person for the job,” board president Darren McCutcheon said. “He’s done this before for other school districts in the transition period serving as interim and he’s done it in several different capacities.”

McCutcheon said the board is confident that Creel will be able to find the right person for the job, whether in-house or outside.

According to the Texas ISD job posting timeline, applications are due by Oct. 18 with a review set for noon Oct. 20. The first round of interviews is scheduled for Nov. 1, 2 and 6 with additional interviews set for Nov. 13-16.

The lone finalist will be announced Nov. 20 and the board could hire a new superintendent on Dec. 12 with a start date of Jan. 8.

“Dr. Creel told the board that hiring a superintendent is the most important thing a board trustee can do for the community,” McCutcheon said. “We’re about to embark on the most important thing we do for Groves and Port Neches, collectively.”