Do you have five years of executive experience? Got a master’s degree in administration (preferably a doctorate)? Then you could be the new superintendent of Austin Independent School District!

ProAct Search Inc., the national recruitment firm hired by AISD to find the successor for retiring Superintendent Pat Forgione, has released a job description of what they want in an applicant. But this outline is simply a starting point intended to encourage applications as well as discussion about what the community wants and needs from the new district chief. AISD and ProAct have lined up 12 public forums at various district- and city-owned facilities over three nights next week (see right for the full list). For anyone who can’t make it, the district has also launched a telephone hotline at 414-TALK (8255), and citizens can download a community survey at www.austin.isd.tenet.edu/inside/superintendent/search.

The district is already accepting candidate applications (with a closing date of Oct. 31). After one or possibly two rounds of candidate interviews in December and January, staff intends to “introduce finalists to the Austin community” through more meetings in February. The district plans to name the new superintendent next spring, before Forgione retires on June 30.

Tuesday, Sept. 23

Akins High School Library, 10701 S. First, 7-9pm

McCallum High School Cafeteria, 5600 Sunshine, 7-9pm

Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St., 7-9pm (Spanish with English translation)

Reagan High School Theatre, 7104 Berkman, 6:30-8:30pm

Wednesday, Sept. 24

Anderson High School Cafeteria, 8403 Mesa, 7-9pm

Crockett High School Theatre, 5601 Manchaca, 7-9pm

Lanier High School Theatre, 1201 Payton Gin, 6:30-8:30pm

Linder Elementary School Cafeteria, 2800 Metcalfe, 6:30-8:30pm (Spanish with English translation)

Thursday, Sept. 25

Austin High School Cafeteria, 1715 W. Cesar Chavez, 7-9pm

Bowie High School Cafeteria, 4103 Slaughter, 7-9pm

Carruth Administration Center Auditorium, 1111 W. Sixth, 7-9pm

Carver Public Library, 1161 Angelina, 6-8pm

This article appears in September 19 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.