Greely, Roaring Brook principal searches wrapping up
February 12, 2012
by Christine Yeres
This week, second-round interviews for the two Greeley and three Roaring Brook principal candidates concluded and third-round interviews began. In its January 31 meeting, the board of ed heard updates on the searches from Paul Citarella, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Grafflin Principal Mike Kirsch and Westorchard Principal Jim Skoog.
Citarella described all five principal candidates as “excellent,” all currently employed, taken from an applicant pool of 147 for the high school and 187 for Roaring Brook. He did not reveal whether any candidates were currently working within the CCSD.
The five candidates were interviewed at each school by committees of 14 (at Greeley) and 12 (at RB) members that included administrators, teachers, staff, parents and—in the case of the Greeley search—two students as well. Out of fairness, the committees were careful to ask the same questions of each candidate.
On February 3 and 6, the two finalists for Greeley spent 11-hour days, meeting with board of ed members, students, support staff and parents. They stopped for lunch, then met with administrators and ended with Superintendent Lyn McKay. They were asked, in the course of their in-school visits, to produce an on-demand writing sample and to explain a previous project or initiative they had worked on.
Third-round visits required a walk through the buildings to visit classrooms with McKay and Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, who, according to Citarella, judged “candidates’ ability to observe and pinpoint instruction and curriculum in the classroom, asking candidates what they saw and what they might do in particular situations, and how they might coach teachers.”
Next come reference checks, checks of previous employment experiences and background checks. Then Citarella and McKay will meet with candidates to discuss salary and personnel issues, and finally McKay will make her recommendations for each position in late February or early March.
Although attempts have been made to keep the identities of the finalists confidential, as board member Jeffrey Mester noted, once candidates appear for rounds in the schools, confidentiality is breached. “We try to keep it confidential,” said McKay.
Of 147 who applied for the high school spot, 27 were sitting principals, 75 were “other administrators,” and 43 candidates were “other.” Of the 197 candidates who applied for the Roaring Brook opening, 56 were sitting principals, 80 were “other administrators,” and 61 were designated as “other.” A substantial number, said Citarella, had applied for both positions. The majority were from the tri-state area.
The next scheduled board of education meeting is on Tuesday, February 28, when McKay will present a proposed budget to the board.
We’ve seen the candidates and know that one is Seven Bridges principal Martha Zornow. And one is NOT Mark Bayer but someone from NYC.
You mean at the HS or RB?
Zornow at Greeley?
Yes, the word is already out that Bayer is no longer in the running. (or was asked to step aside?) Hands down the best candidate, Mark Bayer has a proven track record at Greeley and is held in high esteem by students, faculty and parents. The district could also save money by promoting Bayer and leaving his position unfilled. Not too late to change but it will be soon.
As the title says, this process is wrapping up. Let your opinions be known now while there still is the opportunity to have your voices heard!
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to weigh in
why isn’t mark bayer a candidate?
ms. zornow committed to remain at seven br. why encourage her to take the h.s. position?
How is it that after a nationwide search, the two best candidates are from one of our middle schools and somewhere else? Zarnow has not earned the principalish at Greeley.
What a shame that once again we are losing our most promising educators…Patrick Healy to Scarsdale, Mark Bayer to be principal somewhere else I’m sure. If we don’t grab him now, another top district will very soon because above all, Mark Bayer knows how to run a school. The faculty supports him one hundred percent and the students respect him as a leader. He also happens to be the best communicator out of all the principals at Greeley. This is a real shame for our community.
I cannot find the December help wanted listing in the NYT or Education Weekly; however, per the 1/31 BOE Meeting….
For HGHS Principal, the criteria are:
1. Good communication skills
2. A person who could make connections between people and groups in a large high school environment.
3. Someone with respect for the kids, as well as staff and parents.
4. Someone who was aware of the stresses in a large high school
5. Had a sense of humor
6. Strength in curriculum at the high school level.
I was quite frankly shocked to hear that Mark Bayer was not the in the running for the principal position at Greeley. As the parent of a recent Greeley grad, a current Greeley student and a middle schooler I know he is the best candidate for the job. He extremely well-liked and well-respected by parents, faculty and students in our school district. I can honestly say that he is passionate about his job, tough when he needs to be and, most importantly, understands teenagers. Given his years at Greeley, first as a a member of the faculty and then, for the past number years (6, at least) as an assistant principal he should be the number one candidate for the principal job. I agree with Shame on Board. Why is the board and the superintendent not recognizing that we have an excellent candidate at Greeley already? Shouldn’t the position be filled by the best-qualified candidate? It’s not too late to reconsider.
I heard they asked Bayer to step aside. I know he doesn’t want to leave. A community outcry might just help!
I have known Mark Bayer for many years. I have watched him develop
and grow from Teacher to Administrator and always admired his dedication to his students. I know that every time his parents
attented an event at H.G. parents of students approched them saying
how much Mark helped their son or doughter to become better students.
It is a shame and a significant loss for H. G. that Mark Bayer has
become a victim of internal politics.
Mark Bayer was one of my son’s best teachers when he was at Greeley. He was a wonderful teacher and mentor. Mark went on to become an administrator who is respected by all. He has all the right qualities to be a principal. I urge the district to reconsider.
WE ARE THE VICTIMS OF INTERNAL POLITICS. Lyn McKay promoted Andrew Selsnick to a $200K+ job without going through the standard process. Now, she is side-stepping the best candidate…it’s no secret that Mr. Bayer wanted this job.
Make no mistake—this is Lyn McKay’s doing and the high school will suffer more than we currently realize because Mark Bayer will soon be gone to another lucky school district and we will be left with a new principal who doesn’t know us and two remaining assistant principals who, though nice, do not have the experience, tact or presence of Mark Bayer.
SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on the BOE for allowing Lyn McKay to do this.
Ever since McKay was promoted, the district has gone down hill. She promoted one of the most incompetent administrators in the district to a position training teachers. She’s ignoring Bayer’s qualifications that make him the best candidate (at least internally). Meanwhile, she’s keeping Zornow—another terrible administrator—in the running. It’s ridiculous.
I think it’s time for McKay to resign. If she keeps her current record up, our schools, and then our property values, will be on a rapid decline.
To all the Mark Bayer fans; We couldn’t have the two finalist both be insiders, now could we?
To “TIme is short”; How Naive. Rumor has it, that it’s a done deal and, miracle of miracles, only an insider meets the criteria. Really?
Lets not forget that Lyn McKay works for the school board and the board works for the taxpayers, NOT the other way around.
Yes, Let’s Get Real,
When is the board and McKay going to realize that Mckay works for the school board and the board works for the taxpayers? Right now McKay reigns supreme and the board just follow her orders. And the taxpayers have no say at all. Look at Selesnick, over everyone’s objections, promoted to a position for which he is completely unsuited, because McKay says so. Healy gone because they offered him the insulting .6% of his job. And now Bayer, the best candidate for HG principal, denied the position!
Below is an excerpt of a letter I sent to the Board and Dr. McKay expressing my concern about moving Martha Zornow to Greeley:
Martha Zornow is a wonderful principal. I understand the need to try to retain administrators like her and that she would be an asset to Greeley. I genuinely hope she will advance within the school administration at some point. But she has only been in the Seven Bridges job since 2009. A district like Chappaqua requires continuity of it senior staff which has been lacking in recent years. I would think the community and School Board has a right to expect a principal to stay in his or her position for at least five years before transitioning to a different position within the district.
I also want to emphasize that . . . the reason why the Board decided not to configure the middle schools with a 5/6 and 7/8 structure, but to continue to split the Roaring Brook community is because it enhances continuity for the children with the middle school administration. That is not a justification I ever understood or supported. But if there is any validity to it, the Board must respect it by not moving the middle school administration around if that can be avoided.
the board of ed needs to see these comments and may not be following this discussion. you can e mail them at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
After reading these comments, curious as to thoughts of Mckay’s recommendation.
Editor’s Note: Those thoughts are in comments under the article about her choice of Rhodes. See Superintendent McKay to recommend Robert Rhodes as next Principal of Horace Greeley High School
