A new superintendent could be named in early April under a hiring timeline presented to the Durango School District 9-R Board of Education on Tuesday.

The board would bring in finalists for the position for community meetings in late March, according to a schedule by the Aspen Group, educational consultants hired by 9-R to lead the search.

The district is paying $50,000 to the Aspen Group to guide the search. In total, including travel and lodging costs for candidates and other expenses, the district estimates it will spend a maximum of $68,000 on the search.

As soon as next week, surveys could be distributed to parents, teachers, staff members, students and other community members seeking input about the qualities they want to see in a new superintendent.

In addition, focus groups of 10 to 12 people from various stakeholders will be held in the next couple weeks to create a profile of what various community groups want in a new leader.

Notice of the vacancy is expected to be posted on the Education Week website in early January and be published in the trade publication’s Jan. 20 print edition.

Superintendent Dan Snowberger announced in November he would resign from his position in June after leading the district for nine years.

Snowberger currently earns $169,320 annually.

Linda Dawson with the Aspen Group said salaries for superintendents in Colorado range from $40,000 to $287,000.

“I have no incredible advice about salary other than it has to be competitive. It can’t be $45,000,” Dawson told the board.

parmijo@durangoherald.com