The input and interaction from the community in the search for the next superintendent of public schools for Prince Edward County has been encouraging.

The attendance at the two public forums was good; about 60 people attended.

A more encouraging gesture would be for an even larger number of completed surveys to be submitted to the school board’s search firm.

Dr. Kevin Castner, a senior associate with BWP and Associates — the firm selected by the school board to conduct the search — said that he anticipates up to 400 responses from the online survey. BWP will sort through the data from the community and digest it, creating a draft profile for the school board.

It’s of the utmost importance for every parent, voter, student, taxpayer and citizen who wants to see Prince Edward’s school system grow and excel to take a few minutes and fill out the survey, which can be accessed directly from the school division’s website at www.pecps.k12.va.us.

The anonymous online survey, which is also available in hard copy at the schools and in the public library, asks a series of questions pertaining to the school division, which the school board must have in hiring a superintendent that reflects the needs and desires of our community.

The survey asks respondents to identify the three most significant strengths of the division, the three most important skills in a new superintendent, the three most important characteristics in a new superintendent, preferences for experience and the three most important issues facing the school system.

This information — from us —is of the utmost importance for the board in approving a profile for the next person who will take the schools to new heights with our support.