Cary, N.C. — The Wake County Board of Education moved forward Wednesday with their search for a new superintendent to lead North Carolina's largest school district, nearly six months after they ousted Tony Tata.

Led by Omaha, Neb.-based search firm McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, board members outlined their desired criteria for superintendent candidates, including experience leading a large, urban school district, strong communication skills and the ability to recruit and retain quality staff.

They also said they wanted the next superintendent to be an educator and a consensus builder who can work with a divided board.

The board hopes to select two or three finalists by May 8. 

Board members also weighed whether to make the final round of the selection process open to the public, releasing finalists' names and inviting the community to public forums to meet the candidates.

Chairman Keith Sutton said openness and transparency would foster a sense of trust among parents and community members, but other board members questioned whether releasing finalists' names would be a deterrent to good candidates who currently hold superintendent positions in other school districts.