Search for new superintendent of schools in Chippewa Falls - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

Chippewa Falls (WQOW) - The search for a new superintendent of schools in Chippewa Falls has begun. The school board has selected a firm to conduct the search.

The position is open because the current superintendent, Dr. Tom Hughes, will not seek an extension of his contract, which expires in June of next year. The board did not wish to comment on why he is leaving but says they are on good terms.

The search firm will begin by putting focus groups together to gather information about what qualities the community would like to see in the next superintendent.

Jim Dimock, the School Board President of the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District, says, "Certainly a high level of integrity, a visionary, a person who is a strong communicator, a team worker. A person who can work well with administrators, teachers, and board members on solving problems, looking at issues that the district is facing."

The board says they are hoping to hire on a new superintendent by March 1^1st, that person would then begin on July 1^1st of the 2013-14 school year.