EATON — Eaton Community Schools is asking for community input in the search for the district’s next superintendent.

The vacancy is the result of the retirement of Dr. Barbara Curry, who has served as superintendent since 2013. Steve Horton, Senior Board and Management Services Consultant for the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), will meet with district staff, parents and community members on this week.

Each of the group meetings will be approximately 45 minutes in length. Parents and community members may participate in a group meeting on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Bruce Elementary, located at 506-B N. Aukerman St., Eaton.

During each of the focus groups, Horton will review the hiring process and ask for input on the following three topics:

•Major issues facing the district for the next three to five years.

•Performance expectations for the new superintendent in the first 100 days, first year and first 3 years.

•Personal and professional expectations for the next superintendent.

Horton will provide the board of education with a detailed report of the meetings held, which will help the board develop a more detailed profile of the ideal candidate, enhance their understanding of perceived future challenges and opportunities, and assist them in setting specific criteria for the screening, selection and evaluation of candidates.

The Eaton Community Schools Board expects to have a permanent superintendent appointed by Aug. 1.