Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The people helping District 186 find a new superintendent are learning through recently completed focus groups what people want.

“The thing that is on peoples mind is the finances,” Carmen Ayala of the Illinois Association of School Boards told the Springfield Public Schools board Monday. “Every single group spoke about the deficit, so they want to make sure that the next leader for the school district has a good financial and operational background.”

About the research, “the same questions were asked of each of the focus groups,” continued Ayala. “So the first question that was asked (was) what kind of experience should the next superintendent for Springfield have? The top response was: they want someone who has leadership background across the spectrum.”

The new superintendent would take over in July, but the application deadline is pushed back, from Nov. 14 to Dec. 5, to give more people a chance to learn about the opening and apply.

Superintendent Jennifer Gill is retiring after the current school year.