Jan. 23, 2018 | Work Session
Superintendent Search
Darline Robles and Carmella Franco from the firm of HYA Executive Search met with the board to define the search process for a new superintendent. They presented the following calendar:
–Feb. 5-6: Individual interviews with board members; focus groups conducted during the day; community meeting conducted in both English and Spanish
–Feb. 9-16: Online survey in both English and Spanish
–Feb. 27: Leadership profile presented to Board
–April 17: Interviews and final stages of search; candidates presented to board
–April 27-28: Initial interviews with 5-7 candidates (selected by search committee)
–May 5-6: Semi-finalists’ interviews with board
–May 6: Board identifies preferred candidate
–TBD: Board members conduct site visit and extensive background check
–TBD: Public announcement of new superintendent
The online survey will collect information from internal and external stakeholders about what they consider to be the most important strengths and characteristics of a superintendent. Feb. 5-6 Robles and Franco will conduct a series of interviews and focus groups with stakeholders. Based on the survey results and the information gathered during interviews and focus groups, a leadership profile will be created by HYA and presented to the board. A national recruitment process will take 4-6 weeks (through March 31).
The board will form a 12-member search committee, comprised of parents and staff. Those interested in serving on the committee will be asked to apply. Once the committee is selected, it will interview candidates and present 5-7 candidates to the board. Initial interviews with the board will be April 27-28, followed by semi-finalist interviews with the Board May 5-6. The board will make its selection by the end of the day on May 6. A public announcement will be made following a site visit and extensive background check.
NOTE: Robles is the the former superintendent of Los Angeles County Office of Education, and is currently a professor in the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. She is also the former Superintendent of Schools for the Salt Lake School District. Franco spent 36 years in public education and retired as Superintendent of Schools of Whittier School District in California. She currently serves as Director of the Association of California School Administrators Superintendents’ Academy in Whittier.
Board Training
With new member Erin Grady joining the board Feb. 5, board members discussed possible trainings such as becoming a more cohesive board and governance for elected officials. The board plans to ask the Utah School Boards Association to conduct a refresher training during an upcoming work session. Board member Petra Butler said the board needs to hold itself accountable. She said it took courage for the Superintendent to come forward at the last meeting and tell the board it needed additional training. “We also need to work on respect with one another, having respect within the district, and becoming active listeners,” she said.
Upcoming Board Conferences
Butler and Board Vice President JJ Ehlers plan to attend the National School Boards Association Conference April 7-9 in San Antonio, Texas. In the future, board members expressed interest in attending the annual Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) National Conference.