Monday, April 12, 2010
by Michael Kaufman
Earlier this week, I sent a letter to the School Board regarding the search for the new district superintendent. Because of the importance of the issues, I thought it might be useful to summarize the letter for readers of NewCastleNOW.org.
I began by thanking the Board for all its hard work in considering the many issues that come before it. All of us know it makes difficult calls, and truly appreciate its diligence in doing so.
After reading the Board’s March 2010 letter about the search for the new district superintendent, I had several thoughts about the proposed course of action. In the spirit of the letter’s solicitation of feedback, those thoughts are summarized below.
We all appreciate the Board’s outlining several pathways for the community to provide feedback about the characteristics of a desirable and successful superintendent. Dr. Fowler will do a fine job of facilitating the feedback, as he did when he facilitated the budget focus groups.
At the same time, there are several aspects of the proposed process that are concerning. First, the March letter contemplates applying the criteria developed during the feedback process initially to internal candidates only. That would likely give a distinct advantage to internal candidates.
Instead, I would suggest that the Board commence a search, sourcing from both internal and external candidates. In overseeing one of the leading school districts in the United States, the Board should seek to attract the most talented candidates locally and from across the country and engage them in a vigorous process that will yield the most outstanding talent for the Board to consider. There is no more important task for the Board than the selection of a superintendent. One can always ‘match’ a candidate with proposed criteria; the real test is seeing how different candidates (who each meet the criteria) stack up against one another. I would encourage the Board to cast a wide net. All of us want to ensure we have the best possible talent leading the district.
The March letter indicated that the Board is planning to make key decisions in this process by late May. Recognizing that there is always a desire to move swiftly to get a superintendent in place, I suggest this plan may move too swiftly.
The Board election will be held May 18. Given that there will be at least one newly elected member of the Board following the election, wouldn’t it be preferable for both the Board and the community to wait for the new Board to convene before significant decisions about filling the superintendent slot are considered or determined? In this way, the views of the community can most directly impact the superintendent selection process. The completion of job specifications, identification of candidates and the selection of a final candidate should all await the convening of the new Board.
In summary, I believe the Board should:
• continue the community feedback process during April and May,
• after the new Board is convened, develop and complete job specifications and authorize a wide-ranging search using a best-in-class search firm to identify top candidates internally and externally, and
• once a candidate slate is assembled, utilize a fair and well-defined interview and evaluation process to select the next superintendent.
I appreciate the opportunity to share thoughts on this critical issue.
Michael Kaufman
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Editor’s Note: The board of education has engaged Dr. Chuck Fowler of School Leadership, LLC, to conduct the search for a new superintendent for the district. At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2010, the community is invited to meet Dr. Fowler at Horace Greeley High School academic commons.
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