SOUTH BEND — School Board members faced some tough questions Wednesday, as they began the long process of deciding who will be South Bend's next superintendent.

It's been just two days since the school board finalized the buyout of former Superintendent Robert Zimmerman's contract, and two months since they voted to hire James Kapsa as the corporation's interim leader.

Since then, there's been little talk about the corporation's next move, but Wednesday the board met to ask, what's next?

And they did agree, almost immediately on one thing: the new superintendent will not be chosen by the current board. But who that new leader might be, how that person might be chosen, and when was the subject of yet another round of debate.

With 4 of the board's 7 seats up for grabs in this November's election, it took almost no time for the school board to agree that choosing a new leader before then would be foolish.

But, initially, the board was at odds over whether waiting until next year to start the process was the right move.

"There's a certain few months where you can get the best people applying for a job. If we wait until January for a new board, that's 4 months," said board member Ralph Pieniazkiewicz.

"I don't feel like we should be rushed," said board member Dawn Jones. "I think, to rush, would be a mistake."

The disagreements were civil this time, but it was clear, they were there.

"I'm just not in favor of doing a search right now," Jones told the board.

"I feel just the opposite," responded Pieniazkiewicz. "I think it's our duty to this community to start a superintendent search."

"We need a search," agreed board member Marcia Hummel.

"I can't imagine doing a search right now," said board vice president Ann Rosen.

"Believe it or not, I actually agree with Mrs. Hummel," laughed board member Bill Sniadecki. "I agree with a national search."

"This is a 50-50," said board member Kim Barnbrook. "I'm split in the middle!"

The indecision, they agreed, was based on a number of unanswered questions.

Would the search be national or local?

Where would the money be found to pay for it?

How long can Kapsa legally remain as interim superintendent, and does he want the job full time?

"I don't think any of us have asked him that question of, is he willing to serve beyond this role?" said Hummel.

The most critical unanswered question, though, they agreed, was the public's opinion.

"If you get community input, you should get it from the very beginning," said Jones.

"The public needs to be involved in this process," agreed Hummel.

The problem, agreed Pieniazkiewicz following the meeting, was that the board left without agreeing on a plan on how to get it.

"That hasn't been decided yet, but I'm confident we'll find a way. It'll probably require a meeting with the community," he said.

The board did come to the conclusion, however, that-- in order to put a new superintendent in place before the next school year-- the process has to start now.

And, they agreed, that means at least contacting national search firms now.

St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce President and C.E.O. Mark Eagan said it's the right move.

"It makes sense to begin the search now. It will take months and months to do. But obviously, you don't want to interview any candidates before the election," Eagan said.

He also said it's worth taking the time to make the right choice.

"It's extremely important. If we look at what our economic prospects are as a community, and as a region, there's no better indicator than a quality K-12 education. It all starts at the top. The people on the top set the tone for the whole school corporation. That's why this is so critically important," Eagan said.

The big question now: will the community agree?

Some are already convinced.

"I think the community as a whole will be happy that we are moving forward," said Pieniazkiewicz.

But as the clock ticks toward a new set of deadlines, it seems only time will tell.

Another unanswered question?

Whether to accept an offer from The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County to foot the bill for the search.

But there was some concern Wednesday night that accepting that money could be seen as a conflict of interest.

The board will ask the Community Foundation to prepare a presentation on the proposal to present at their next board meeting on September 2nd.

Board members will also begin whittling down the list of potential search firm names next month, with the goal of selecting one by the end of November.