The Los Angeles Board of Education members said last week that it seeks public opinion in choosing the next superintendent, who will manage the nation’s second-largest school district.

The public is invited to complete a short survey that shares their views on the qualities they want to see in the next superintendent. The surveys, available online and on paper, will be compiled by HYA, a search firm in suburban Chicago that specializes in finding executives for schools districts. The feedback, which is offered anonymously, will be shared with board members to inform their opinions.

“The public will be involved in helping to shape the conversation and to provide critical input,” said Steve Zimmer, president, Los Angeles Board of Education. “I ask [the public] to participate in every way [they] can. Your voice as a stakeholder is very important.”

In addition, the public is invited to attend open forums where they can express their views. In all, 14 open forums will be held across the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) through Oct. 28.

The calendar to find where and when meetings will be held is posted at achieve.lausd.net/superintendentsearch.

Public discussion will revolve around key questions about LAUSD strengths that parents want to see continued and enhanced, what challenges and problems the new superintendent will face, and what characteristics the new superintendent must posses.

LAUSD started searching for a new superintendent to replace Ramon C. Cortines, who said earlier this year that he intends to step down from his leadership role in December.