Stephens County — Stephens County citizens are calling for a school superintendent with character, intellect and a vested interest in the community.

At a public forum Thursday, six people rose to express their views to the Stephens County Board of Education and the organization helping to conduct its search for a new school superintendent. Current Stephens County School System Superintendent Gary Steppe plans to retire effective June 2009.

“What I hope take into consideration someone who has a vested interest in this community, and this school system,” said Felton Stevens, an assistant principal at Stephens County High School.

Another speaker, Jonesy Haygood, was more focused on construction of the new high school.

“My biggest interest is the new high school,” Haygood said. “We need someone who understands the building process and knows how to look and save the school some money.”

Good character was on the mind of another high school assistant principal.

“Character and intellect will more than compensate for any lack of having built a school,” said Sandy Steele, assistant principal at Stephens County High School. “Just like any other process, he right person with the right heart and the right attitude can find the answers to take care of problems.”

The Georgia School Board Association has been contracted to handle the initial search process.

Don Rooks, with the state school board association, told the audience of 20 people that the association will handle the initial stages of the search and bring a slate of candidates to the board. At that point, the public will have the opportunity to review the applicants’ packets, and the board of education will conduct interviews and finally chose which person will be offered the job.

Rooks said he expects to have the list of guidelines for the search complete by December and to accept applications until Jan. 23.