The selection of a superintendent is among the most significant decisions any school district board of directors will make. The superintendent should be the person and office through which the direction set by the board is carried out. The working relationship that develops between the board and superintendent is thus absolutely critical and the selection of the superintendent provides the initial definition to that relationship. As befits a decision of this importance, it is one that should be arrived at with care. Throughout its decades of work on behalf of school board members, the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) has amassed years of professional experience, and the collective experience of thousands of school board members, related to effective superintendent search. That extensive experience forms the basis of this handbook, and also provides a reservoir of advice that can be contacted directly at WSSDA. This guide has been constructed to bring together information found helpful to many school districts--it is offered for the use of school directors as one of the tools to help them achieve a sound result in the superintendent selection process. Appended are: (1) Sample Requests for Proposal for Consultant Services; (2) Sample Worksheets; (3) Interviewing Tips; (4) Board-Superintendent Relations; and (5) Model Superintendent Contract.