He holds coffee greetings with parents and community members at least twice a month. He's walked city streets and knocked on doors in search of students who aren't in school. And he can be seen smiling from billboards around the city, promoting enrollment in the district's new high schools.

Interim Superintendent Bolgen Vargas is like the benevolent father who has come home after a long absence. He's everywhere, and many people don't want to see him leave. Most teachers and parents I've spoken to have nothing but praise for him. And some city officials have expressed their support for him, too.

But Vargas's appeal could pose a problem for the school board's search for a permanent superintendent. Vargas has stated that he wants the job. And as his popularity has increased, I'm wondering whether the public sees the search as a pressing issue.

The search has been moving forward. The school board has held public input meetings, and there have been several focus groups to gather input from parents, district employees, and the community. And the 22-member search committee is soon going to begin reviewing resumes. Candidates have until the end of the month to apply for the position, according to the original timeline.

The board could find itself in a pickle. Some parents, students, and teachers think that Vargas is right for the job and that the search is a waste of time and resources. The right candidate is here under our noses, they say.

But others say the search lacks integrity. Their input, they say, hasn't been given serious consideration, and they contend that Vargas is getting preferential treatment.

Who does the board risk offending?

When Vargas was hired, he was asked to heal the district's relationships with teachers, parents, and others. He's done that and more, from most accounts.

Vargas's predecessor Jean-Claude Brizard seemed to loom over the district, but never became a part of it. Vargas, in contrast, has become familial by doing what the board asked him to do.

And that could complicate the search.