The Vashon community, as former school board chair Susan Lofland rightfully points out in a news story in this week’s issue, needs to have a voice in the selection of the school district’s next superintendent. And not a faux voice. A real voice.

Last week, the school board met with the associate of a regional search firm that specializes in finding top administrators for public schools. Howard Coble, who will be leading Vashon’s effort for the firm, outlined a public involvement process that seems both thoughtful and doable.

It retains the board’s responsibility to make the decision. But it calls for considered and extensive public engagement throughout the process — from an online survey for community members to a stakeholders’ group that would actively participate at many levels, including final interviews with the candidates.

Board members heard about the proposed process only last week and haven’t formally adopted their strategy for community engagement. But it seems clear already they’re embracing the concept: Next week, the board and Coble are hosting their first community meeting, where Islanders can discuss the qualities they’d like to see in the school district’s next leader.

No action this board will undertake is more important, and Islanders — whether they’re parents or not — have a stake in its outcome. We urge the board to do all it can to encourage full and robust community participation. And we encourage community members to do their part — to show up, opine thoughtfully and support the board in choosing the best person.