After months of upheaval in St. Helens schools, the district is ready to find its next permanent leader.

On April 9, St. Helens school board members voted unanimously to begin the search for a permanent superintendent to replace the outgoing Acting Superintendent Karen Gray, who was contracted to serve in the role until the end of the school year.

This will be the fourth person to lead the district in the past five months after the board placed former Superintendent Scot Stockwell on administrative leave in November after the arrests of former St. Helens High School teachers Eric Stearns and Mark Collins on allegations of sexual abuse. Stockwell resigned from the district March 12 and received a year’s pay, totaling to $228,629.

The district brought on former Acting Superintendent Steve Webb to serve in Stockwell’s stead Nov. 25. After Webb resigned from the position Jan. 31, Gray was hired to take on the role until June 30.

The job posting was opened on the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators website April 10. It lists desired traits, a start date no later than July 1 and a $175,000-185,000 salary range plus benefits.

The application window closes April 25 or until filled. The school board appointed board member Trinity Monahan to negotiate a contract with the new superintendent.