Portland Public Schools Starts Search for New Superintendent

Portland Public Schools is looking for a new leader.

Just days after Superintendent Carole Smith abruptly quit on the heels of a scathing report about the district's handling of the lead crisis, the district is looking for her replacement.

And they are not giving themselves a lot of time to do it.

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The district hopes to have a list of finalists on August 10th and vote on the new superintendent the following day.

In a resolution passed by the board, they set out several criteria for candidates including:

The candidate must have ten years of direct experience in education - or related field;

A doctorate is preferred;

Candidate must demonstrate experience embracing and promoting equity and diversity;

Must possess at least five years of executive level experience directing operations in a collaborative manner that creates and maintains a healthy learning organization; and

Must demonstrate a deep, personal commitment to public education that puts students needs first.

Smith led the district for nine years and had hoped to lead it through the end of the next school year.