School Board Gets Survey Results

The School Board was presented Wednesday night with the results of more than regarding the qualities stakeholders are seeking in the district’s next superintendent.

Board members heard from Ray and Associates, the, that respondents want a leader who among other qualities, “inspires trust … and models high levels of integrity and personal performance, is strongly committed to a student first philosophy, is a strong communicator, has successful experience in sound fiscal practices and is able to build consensus and commitment among individuals and groups.”

Along with the data from the survey questions, the firm also included in its report anonymous individual comments left by respondents. Most commenters reinforced the survey results; however many provided a lot of extra comments.

One respondent said it's important the board seek a whose last day will by June 30.

“We need someone that will commit to this district for a good length of time. Someone not coming out of retirement,” the person wrote.

Another respondent said the next superintendent needs to be “ready for a challenge.”

“We are a district in transition—constant transition. Whether it’s budget issues, boundary issues, community issues or board issues. Everything is always changing in 308,” the person wrote.

Many other respondents also stressed the next leader must focus on academics, working to improve test scores.

“We need to increase the rigor of the academics at all levels,” one person wrote. “The AP scores at the high schools should have at least an 80 percent pass rate. With Common CORE standards coming soon, our district needs to step it up and academically challenge our students. Let’s not focus on bringing a handful of struggling students up to passing at the expense of successful students. Let’s push all students academically.”

Board President Bill Walsh said he was pleased with the number of people who gave their input.

“There was just so much feedback from the community; it was nice to see that,” he said.   

Gary Ray, the firm’s president, told the board the next step in the process will be to advertise the position through education career websites and magazines. The deadline for applicants will be May 1.

“We’ve had quite a bit of interest in the position already,” Ray said.  

The board will begin interviewing candidates around May 11.