With the retirement of Friendswood ISD Superintendent Trish Hanks upon the completion of the 2016-17 school year, the district board of trustees has started its search for Hanks’ replacement.

Hanks announced her retirement from the district at FISD’s board of trustees meeting on Feb. 6.

The district trustees selected Executive Search Services—part of the Texas Association of School Boards at the Feb. 13 board meeting—to lead the search.

TASB will also direct a survey to community members through the FISD website, allowing faculty, staff and parents to express their own ideas for the search. The search firm will host community meetings on March 22 and 23 to gather input, according to district officials.

The board is now slated to meet with TASB on March 29 to compile a list of qualities and characteristics desirable for the superintendent position. The deadline for candidate applications is April 17.

According to district officials, the search will then be narrowed with the expectation for the board to recommend a finalist by the first week of June. The board would then approve the finalist by vote near the end of the month.