The hunt is on to replace Klein ISD superintendent Jim Cain, who retires at the end of the school year after 11 years in the position. The law firm Thompson and Horton is heading up the search. The candidate selected is one who will provide good leadership in a district as large as KISD, said Mike Moses, attorney with Thompson and Horton. “[It will be] someone that has a proven track record with certain similar student population,” Moses said. “You want people who have been successful and proven they have been successful.” Thompson and Horton has received about 10 applications. “It’s early,” Thompson said. “Right now we’ve got about 8-10 completed applications, and we have a number of others that said they’re in the process.” March 11 is the application deadline for external candidates, and the first round of interviews take place March 28. Two weeks of interviews in April will follow as well as background checks, Moses said. The candidates will visit various members of the community as well, called site visits. Teachers, students, administrators, parents as well as people who do not have kids make up a focus group of about 60 people to engage in ongoing discussions about superintendent qualifications. “They’re all getting an opportunity to talk,” David Thompson, partner at Thompson and Horton said. “It’s a way to allow people to know the board is asking people to allow input. The board wants people to know what’s going on and to be involved in the process.” Moses said it is important to engage the community and board in the firm’s process. “We don’t make any presumptions,” he said. The single finalist will be named April 18. At that point, Thompson said it is mandatory to provide a 21-day period to finalize the contract. “Under Texas law, they have to keep that name out for 21 days—it allows people to Google them, and they’ll visit the community,” Thompson said. “It allows everyone to say ‘Is this the real deal or not.’” Cain has served in KISD in various capacities for 36 years. While superintendent, the district grew by 13,500 students and saw an increase in graduation rates while dropout rates declined. Board of Trustee member Rick Mann said he is hoping for a candidate who will embrace the direction that Klein is headed with people moving to the area from all over the country, not necessarily people who are affiliated with a Klein heritage. “I am hoping for a candidate that has the same level of professional integrity, someone with a strong curriculum background, someone that will go into the classroom with knowledge of the work our teachers provide daily—someone that will include the rich history of Klein, and at the same time move forward with the "New Klein" that is enriching our district,” Mann said. Thompson and Horton is attempting to create a calendar that allows the board to make decisions that allow the new superintendent to have a smooth transition, Thompson said. By July 5, the selected candidate will assume the role as superintendent. “The people who we are recruiting for this job are very successful right now,” Moses said. “They’re not necessarily looking for a job. They’ll give this some thought before they decide to jump in.”