With less than two months to go before the retirement of Watchung Hills Regional Principal Thomas DiGanci, school board members are starting to conduct interviews with potential replacements.

Not that a "replacement" is likely to be found: whomever is hired, they will surely bring different skills to the job than Dr. DiGanci exhibits. After all, they most likely will not have his extensive history at the school, or his knowledge of the school's growing pains and growing list of achievements. 

School principals have to operate at many levels to be successful: they have to be able to relate to students like a teacher or counselor; manage a huge staff like a corporate HR administrator; deal with the board of education like a skilled politician; and deal with parents like a neighbor. It's a tough job when done well—and not all are well-suited for the work.

So what skills do you think are most important?

The board is sorting through about 37 applicants for the position, Superintendent of Schools Frances Stromsland reported last month, and many of the candidates likely have extensive experience in school leadership.

Would you prefer the district hire a "technocrat" or someone more adept at working with students? Should the district seek a visionary or a stabilizing force?

Take our poll and tell us what you think.