The search for the next superintendent of the Fort Dodge Community School District is underway just days after current Superintendent Jesse Ulrich announced his upcoming departure to take the appointment of college president at Iowa Central Community College.

In a special meeting on Monday, the FDCSD Board of Education voted to hire Grundmeyer Leader Search, of Ankeny, to lead the hunt for the next head of the district. This firm has been used in recent years to find candidates for the district’s director of human resources and director of special education.

The contract with Grundmeyer Leader Search is for $14,653.64.

During the meeting, the school board also approved a timeline for the search.

From April 6 through April 18, the focus will be on establishing a salary range and benefits package; establishing the interview process, dates and times; posting a survey for stakeholder feedback and possibly hosting stakeholder input meetings.

From April 9 through May 2, Grundmeyer will advertise the position, recruit candidates and develop interview questions.

The week of May 10, candidate application materials will be screened and presented to the board and initial interviews will be held.

The week of May 17, formal interviews will be held with the finalists and a candidate will be chosen for the position.

Grundmeyer Leader Search does include a guarantee of service that if a “successful candidate” cannot be hired for unforeseen reasons or if a finalist turns down an offer, the search firm will continue the search for up to one calendar year, or until a successful hire is made, without any additional costs.