A focus group composed of community members, faith leaders, students and staff from the Katy ISD came together this week to discuss the type of candidate they are seeking to be the district’s new superintendent.

The Katy ISD board of trustees hired two consultants, David Thompson and Mike Moses of the law firm Thompson & Horton  LLP, in January to find a replacement for retiring Superintendent Alton Frailey.

Frailey’s last day is Aug. 31 and school district officials hope to have his replacement on the job by Aug. 1.

“I think we’ve had around 10 completed applications that we’ve received,” Thompson said Tuesday during a special meeting to update them on the search.

Thompson said he expected more applications to come as the April 15 deadline for candidates to apply draws closer. He said he and Moses have also received a number of inquiries and nominations.

As part of the process of finding a new superintendent, Thompson and Moses met with the community members—who were appointed to the group—and surveyed them about what qualities they sought in a new superintendent.

“The general sense was ‘We’ve been blessed, the district is highly rated, we’re not looking for someone who will take us off in a different direction,’” Moses said.

Moses said the group did not express interest in having a nontraditional candidate who was from outside the educational world.

“Almost without exception, we heard ‘educator,’” Moses said.

He also said the focus group thought a Ph.D. would be a nice addition to a candidate’s credentials, but was not required.

Other qualities Thompson and Moses said the focus group desired were that the person be a good communicator, knowledgeable of school finances and also experienced with bonds. The group also had a preference for hiring a Texan, but wants the strongest candidate possible, Moses said.

Thompson and Moses will organize the results from the focus group to give to the school board. The greater KISD community will have a chance to offer input with an online survey on the district’s website which opens March 10 and will last for a week.

“We have people from very good school districts who are indicating an interest in this,” Moses said.