The Aberdeen School Board entered into a contract Tuesday with Northwest Leadership Associates to help recruit and choose a new district superintendent.

The Liberty Lake firm will be paid $11,800 and receive reimbursement for expenses, such as travel to and from Aberdeen, to help replace Superintendent Tom Opstad, who’s retiring at the end of this school year.

The board wants to choose a successor by early spring and is asking this firm to help carrying out each step of the hiring process. That will include screening applications and assisting the board members choose final candidates.

Board Member Jamie Walsh asked that the number of finalists not be too large because the process would become “too unwieldy.”

Board President Sandra Bielski agreed with staff suggestions that finalists bring their spouses with them so they can get a feel for the community.

Someone at the district “could take them on a tour of our community,” she said.

Board members have taken the candidates and their spouses to dinner in the past as well, Bielski said.

The board intends to meet with representatives of the firm next week to begin forming focus groups. These people will come up with lists of desirable qualities the next superintendent should possess. The idea is to begin working with these groups before school lets out for winter break, said Jim Salwin, the district’s human resources director.

Bielski said the hiring process will involve the community in numerous other ways.

Board members Erin Farrer and Christi Boora weren’t at the meeting, but with three members on hand there were enough people present to form a quorum and take action.