Sumner School District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Wednesday to hire Dr. Sara Johnson — assistant superintendent to the Lincoln County School District in Oregon — as the next superintendent.

When Johnson begins work July 1 — pending contract negotiations, according to a district press release — it will end the hiring process that began  in May 2012.

At that time, the school board hired education consultant Lee Goeke to develop a desirable candidate model, formed from survey responses by more than 800 students, student families, staff and other community members regarding the district’s values and direction. The data was further refined into a model by focus groups.

The model developed placed a high value on a “traditional career path” from teacher to building administration to district administration.

Johnson was among 11 candidates who met the model’s criteria, culled from 32 applicants total.

With Johnson’s arrival, Interim Superintendent Craig Spencer will step down and return to the Assistant Superintendency. Spencer has led the district’s 13 schools — as well as the alternative and online education programs — since Dr. Gil Mendoza’s departure at the end of June 2011.