ST. JOSEPH, Mo.

The search firm of School Exec Connect will lead the St. Joseph School District in its search for a new superintendent.

The Minneapolis-based firm was selected from a list of three finalists after presentations before the Board of Education during a special board meeting Monday night.

Representatives from School Exec Connect said during their presentation that they have no preconceptions of who they might be looking for and want to tailor the successful candidate to the school district's specific needs.

They said they are aware of problems in the past, yet stressed the superintendent's job in St. Joseph would be highly attractive to candidates.

Going into the process, board members were firm that they wanted a national search for a new superintendent and getting an experienced company to help them would be an asset.

"I think what they'll bring to us is the professionalism that we need and the good candidates that we need and the willingness to work with the community," said board president Martin Rucker. "We need that. We need that transparency and let people be involved. It's not just the board's decision, it's the community's decision."

The estimated cost to find a new superintendent is expected to be around $25,000.

The successful candidate will replace current superintendent Robert Newhart, who has announced he'll be stepping down at the end of this school year.
 
 School Exec Connect was selected over Ray & Associates based out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and McPherson and Jacobson from Omaha.