The Haines Borough school board began discussion Tuesday on its hiring process for a new permanent superintendent.

Former superintendent Tony Habra resigned in June after a contentious evaluation process. The past two permanent superintendents were only in the position for one year, with interim superintendent Rich Carlson filling in between them.

Board president Anne Marie Palmieri said the hiring process needs to be “open and inclusive,” but questioned whether or not the board should hire a firm for the process or do it in house.

“I don’t know if independently is really the answer,” said board member Sarah Swinton.

The Alaska Association of School Boards conducted the search for Habra, which cost the district about $8,000.

“I don’t know. AASB is not the answer. So maybe a happy medium,” Swinton said.

Board member Sara Chapell said some help might be needed if the board were to conduct the search independently.

“I would just wonder how much we need to reinvent the wheel from the last process,” Chapell said. “I think a lot of our objectives and criteria are going to be the same. And our salary range can’t change that much.”

Chapell suggested putting together a search committee of community members and board members to tackle the hiring process.

Board member Lisa Schwartz said she wanted to be “focusing on an Alaskan hire.” Chapell and Carlson also stressed the importance of reference calls, or even a visit to a candidate’s community before offering him or her the job.

Carlson said at least eight of the 53 school districts in Alaska – including Chatham School District (which oversees Klukwan School), Craig, Dillingham, Yakutat, Valdez and Pelican – are searching for new superintendents for next school year. The openings are due mostly to retirements.

“Haines will attract good candidates. We will,” Carlson said.

Carlson said the board could also look at hiring someone who has worked as an administrator, but not a superintendent.

“I think having experience in a superintendency is an important criterion,” said Carlson. “But I think having administrative experience in Alaska is equally important…You folks have some pretty hefty expectations, however. And to learn the job as a superintendent is, I think, challenging.”

The board set its application closing date for Jan. 15, 2018 to conduct interviews in February.

The board tasked Carlson to research hiring firms and other search options for to the Oct. 3 board meeting.