Now that the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education has agreed on the terms for an interim superintendent, we urge the board to quickly establish a process by which the public can become involved in the search to fill the position long-term.

Assistant Superintendent Joseph “J.D.” Pabis, in charge of personnel, finance and operations for the school district, will serve in a temporary capacity after current Superintendent John Plume retires July 27.

Some had argued that there was no need to conduct a job search and that Pabis should have been appointed, but a majority of the board rightly voted in favor of considering other candidates.

Now that the search is under way, we hope the process will be made as transparent as possible. A good way to accomplish that is to form a committee of community members to offer different perspectives on the qualifications of the applicants.

Auburn officials did just that when looking for a new city manager.

A committee was formed and its members conducted phone interviews and scrutinized applicants' resumes.

The school board plans to hold its reorganizational meeting Tuesday, July 3, and it needs to make the search for a new superintendent one of its first priorities.

Community members from outside the ranks of district employees should have a voice in this process, because the final decision affects everyone.

Choosing a superintendent for the city school district is a decision that impacts not only the district's employees and students but every taxpaying resident, as well. Concerns from the perspective of all interested parties, therefore, should be considered before a final choice is made.