VIENNA — A week has passed since the search for Mathews Local School District’s next superintendent kicked off, and school officials gave an update regarding its status.

Superintendent Russell McQuaide said at the Mathews Board of Education’s special meeting Thursday that the job listing has been posted to the Trumbull County Educational Service Center and the Ohio School Boards Association.

“I attempted to do Mahoning County, but they said that we weren’t members of the Mahoning County ESC, so they wouldn’t post (it),” McQuaide said. “But they said they would let their superintendents know.”

McQuaide said he and board president Joel Polonius were set to meet with Robert Marino of the Trumbull County ESC to learn the criteria for questioning candidates — things the district should be looking for or avoid in a particular candidate, adding that the ESC was eager to help the district.

“We’ve only got one in (resume), but Bobby (Marino) had said there is interest with folks — so hopefully that will pan out,” McQuaide said.

McQuaide said school officials also needed to discuss compensation, suggesting that the district should consider paying his successor more so that the district can obtain a good candidate.

“I’m not going to be hurt by any of that — I will help you; I want to see you get the best possible person in here,” McQuaide said. “A lot of these people, if they’re working maybe in Mahoning County, they’re already making more money as principals.”

“You may want to be upping the ante to be able to take care of those, and to be able to have somebody who will stay. You don’t want to just make Mathews a stepping stone, where it’s a year or two.”

Treasurer Bradley Panak questioned whether it was worth hiring a prospective candidate months before McQuaide leaves, in the scenario that the board approves a principal from another district.

“If you’re hiring a superintendent, assistant superintendent, they’re not gonna want to do that,” Panak said, adding that they probably couldn’t get out of their contract until July anyway.

McQuaide said it depended on the candidate’s experience and how much they wished to learn from him.

“I’m happy to brainstorm or help, so if that person needs me or you need me in that capacity, I’ll be able to help,” McQuaide said. “But I do think a little bit of transition time — a little bit lengthier if you have a new one, you can compress it if you have somebody that’s got experience.”