The search will officially begin this week for a new superintendent for the Bigfork School District.

Board members opted not to use the services of the Montana School Boards Association to run the search as had been previously discussed as an option at the January school board meeting, but instead to use the assistance of a local man as a consultant in its search. This came after resident David Bruno, who is the vice chairman and managing director of the executive search service DHR International, offered to assist the school district pro bono as a community service.

Trustees were working on application and job specification materials and hoped to have them legally reviewed to be able to post the position this week. The position will be posted through a number of education organizations including the Montana Office of Public Instruction and the career centers at the University of Montana and Montana State University along with DHR.

The position will be open until filled, but the board will tentatively begin reviewing applications March 3. Interviews will likely take place in the third week of March, followed by official board action in April. This will give the new superintendent plenty of time to visit and train with outgoing Superintendent Russ Kinzer, who will retire June 30 after more than a decade in the position.