During a public hearing Thursday evening that lasted a little more than an hour, parents, teachers and former educators told the firm in charge of finding the next superintendent of schools the district needs a strong disciplinarian with exceptional communication skills who is going to be an active member in the community.

Nineteen people showed up for the public hearing, after which representatives from Omaha-based McPherson & Jacobson LLC said many of the same comments and concerns were raised during conversations with students, teachers, community leaders and civic groups who met with the firm representatives earlier Thursday.

“You’d be surprised the repetitive things we’ve heard: discipline, accountability, communication,” said McPherson & Jacobson Consultant Loe Dunn.