The Wiscasset School Committee on Monday approved a contract with Maine School Management Association to aid the committee's search for a new superintendent. Heather Wilmot's resignation takes effect at the end of June. Officials  said a dollar amount on the contract with MSMA was not yet known.

MSMA is an advocacy agency that helps school departments by advocating with lawmakers and helps formalize policy, and do superintendent searches. MSMA Deputy Executive Director Eileen King will serve as the liaison between MSMA and the school committee. A search committee will include two school committee members, a parent from each level, four teachers, one from each level and one special educator, and school administrators. The job will be posted this week. King said there were already eight requests for an application packet.

A survey is now available to parents, teachers, town government officials and community members about what they believe is important in the search. Questions will include what kinds of skills and qualities the community wishes to see in a new superintendent, and what are the strengths and challenges of Wiscasset schools. All members of the community are invited to participate at www.surveymonkey.com/r/wiscassetsuptsearch, or a survey form can be obtained from MSMA, at 49 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine, 04330. The survey closes May 11.

After the search committee has all the applications and the survey is closed, the group will begin screening the applications in mid-May. The committee will meet with top candidates and present the top two or three to the school committee for a final interview. The goal is to make a job offer in early June.

Any parent interested in serving on the search committee should contact Stacey Souza at ssouza@wiscassetschools.org