Sean C. Morgan
The District 55 School Board will finalize a list of qualifications for an opening superintendent position Monday night during its regular meeting, and the job opening will be posted around Dec. 13 or Dec. 14.
Supt. Larry Horton will retire at the end of this school year, and the board has begun a search for a new superintendent.
The board met with consultant Greg McKenzie of Window Leadership Monday night to review the results of a survey and begin shaping the list of qualifications wanted in a new superintendent.
From Nov. 9 to Nov. 24, McKenzie collected information through an on-line survey, by attending meetings in the community, conducting telephone interviews and facilitating focus groups, he said. He also met with students and union, business, local government and school leaders.
“Altogether, over 150 stakeholders were contacted by one or more methods,” McKenzie said. “Participation was excellent, and the groups were enthusiastic to share their observations.”
The information gathering was meant to identify strengths that need to be preserved, areas for improvement, priorities over the next three to five years and the most important personal qualifications for the superintendent during the upcoming search.
McKenzie summarized the results, distilling the most common responses from the surveys and interviews.
Among the strengths identified were the Professional Learning Communities, community support, fiscal responsibility, volunteerism, staff stability, innovative programs and a variety of opportunities for students.
Areas that need improvement include a focus on staff professional development, more data-driven decision-making, an update to the district’s vision and communication among all groups.
Suggested priorities include board development in areas of boardsmanship, updating the district’s vision and supporting educator needs.
Important characteristics in a superintendent included visibility in schools and the community, a willingness to make tough decisions, building support for a shared vision, understanding facilities and equipment, an ability with technology, honest, integrity, good communication and listening skills, open-mindedness and an ability to build community partnerships. The summary also said the new superintendent should like kids and inspire others to success.
The board selected statements from a menu that embodied some of these ideas, ranging from being “highly visible in the schools and community” to demonstrating a “high level of honesty, integrity and fairness.”
Board members ranked the concepts, which McKenzie will use to develop a brochure for the position.
“Every community’s take on this is a little bit different,” McKenzie said. It gives potential applicants a snapshot of the community, helping them decide whether their skill sets might be a fit.
In addition to finalizing the list of qualifications, the board will set up a screening committee that includes members of the community, parents, teachers, classified support staff and administrators. About 20 people will be selected to serve on the committee once the board finds out who is interested in serving on the committee.
The screening committee will review applications in late January or early February over a four-day period, McKenzie said.
Board members present at the meeting Monday night were Leena Neuschwander, Billie Weber, Chanz Keeney, Dale Keene, Chairman Jason Redick, John Fassler and Jenny Daniels. David VanDerlip and Mike Reynolds were absent.