The Board of Education detailed a host of qualifications it would like a new business administrator to meet and moved towards starting a search to fill the position that has been vacant since mid-November.

During a 70-minute workshop prior to Monday's regular meeting, the board authorized "posting" of the position once it reviews the language of the posting.

The board, said Superintendent Vicki Wright, will hire for the position only after an "extensive and aggressive" search throughout the Northeast for the "right" person to head the district's business operations.

"This will not be confined to just New York," said Superintendent Wright. "We want to make sure we find the right person with all of the qualifications we need in order to continue to implement the stringent accounting and fiscal controls and to ensure strict budget oversight."

Among the characteristics of the new lead business official at RCS, the board said it would like an official who:

• Has a proven track-record in team-building and as working as a mentor to staff.
• Is seeking to stay in the position for a long period (at least five years).
• Has experience working with internal and external auditors.
• Demonstrates an ability to work through problems.
• Boasts extensive budgeting experience.

The board agreed that it would not set a salary range for the position, rather opting to advertise that salary would be commensurate with experience.

In the meantime, Superintendent Wright and other district administrators will oversee business functions and the start of budget development. They will be assisted by independent accounting professionals familiar with RCS who have "hands-on" experiences with school finances.

Wright offered assurances that many of the protocols and procedures utilized during the development of the successful 2007-08 budget would again be followed during the budget development process this year.