The search is on for the position of superintendent at the Manteca Unified School District.

Since the departure of Cathy Nichols-Washer to Lodi Unified just prior to the new school year, Jason Messer has been filling the role as acting superintendent.

He’s still the assistant superintendent of educational services, and has been wearing both hats for about the past six months.

Trustees, not too long ago, adopted a process for the selection of a new superintendent to replace Nichols-Washer.

Included was a selection committee consisting of board members Michael Seelye, Manuel Medeiros and Wendy King.

The process also consisted of establishing a salary range and the screening criteria.

Since then, the applicants have been whittled down to a handful, including some from within the district, according to Don Halseth, assistant superintendent of personnel services.

District employees and members of the community will have a chance to provide their input via form of statements and/or interview questions regarding the qualities they hope to see in the next superintendent.

On Tuesday, the board gave its OK for administrators to schedule 15 minute appointments with those wishing to provide input on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23.

Interested parties can call Annette at (209) 858-0823 to schedule an appointment.

Information gathered at these appointments will be shared with the board prior to interviewing the select candidates during closed session of the Jan. 27 session.

By next month, the board hopes to have its best two or three finalists along with reference checks and possibly site visits.

The final selection could also be made sometime in February.