To clarify the role of the consultant in the search for and selection of a superintendent, this manual explains the obligations and expectations of boards, consultants, and applicants in the search and selection process and provides standards for hiring a consultant. School boards are provided guidelines for evaluating consultants' proposals and for drawing up the consultant's contract. The booklet sets out 10 items that a board can expect of a consultant, including contacting qualified applicants, charging reasonable fees, assessing and screening applicants, advising the board on interviewing and selecting finalists, maintaining the confidentiality of the search, preserving objectivity in screening, reporting on the progress of the search, counseling the board after a candidate is hired, and helping to maintain good public relations. Advice is included as well on the three products that boards should not expect of consultants: magic, a guarantee of success, and major decisions. (JW)