What kind of leader would be best for Bibb County Schools? The public will now have a say in the matter.

The Georgia School Board Association is seeking feedback on the kind of work experience and personality traits Bibb County residents would like to see in the next school superintendent. Superintendent Curtis Jones, who was hired in 2015, is set to retire in June.

Public feedback is being sought through an online survey available through March 1. The survey can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D578JLH

For more than a month after the window for applications closed Jan. 16, the Bibb County Board of Education refused to disclose basic details about what its selection process entailed or how many applicants had applied.

That changed with a news release the district distributed Tuesday following a Macon Newsroom story about the lack of transparency at this juncture.

A total of 33 people applied for the job, according to the news release. Sixteen applicants are from Georgia and 17 are from other states.

The school board in October agreed to pay GSBA up to $12,000 to help with the search that began Nov. 7.

GSBA Communications Director Justin Pauly said the next step is to ensure applicants meet the criteria set forth by the school board, then “eligible candidates are turned over to the board to select the candidates to be interviewed.”

“The typical amount of time for completion of a GSBA search can vary with 5 months being somewhat typical,” Pauly said.

GSBA also is in the process of helping find superintendents for Grady, Stewart, Marion and Jefferson counties.

To contact writer Laura Corley, email [email protected] or call 478-301-5777.

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