PANAMA — The search for Panama Central School’s next superintendent remains on schedule.

Panama began the search after current superintendent Bert Lictus announced his retirement back in February. Lictus has been in various positions with the school district since 2001, and was officially named superintendent in 2010.

So far, the search for Lictus’s replacement has been going well, according to David O’Rourke, Erie 2-BOCES Superintendent, who has been assisting Panama’s school board with the search.

“The search is going great,” O’Rourke said. “We’ve had full participation of the school and community, which is something we planned for. The board has invited members of the community, those being parents, students, faculty, staff, administration, to be a part of the interview committees.”

A meeting was held May 19 for an executive session of the committee, which also included interview preparation for the job candidates and looking at current resumes. Interviews to fill the position will take place in June.

“We are right on schedule,” O’Rourke said. “We’re in a good position to find Bert Lictus’ replacement.”

While Lictus does not officially retire until the beginning of October, O’Rourke said the decision of who will be replacing him will be made by the end of the school year.

“A new superintendent will be named well before his departure,” O’Rourke said.

O’Rourke added that it is the board’s role to select the new superintendent, but they have been working with and getting input from key members of the community and learning what they are looking for in their next superintendent.

“We’ve had a good response from the community,” O’Rourke said. “The board is doing very well.”