By mid-May, representatives of BWP Associates will be giving District 161 school board members a look at candidates for the superintendent’s position.
Superintendent Dana Smith announced to the board in February that he would be stepping down after nine years with the district. He has been named superintendent for Community Consolidated School District 15 in Palatine. BWP, an educational leadership search firm, was hired in March to assist the school board in its search for Smith’s replacement.
The superintendent’s position will be open July 1. The board hopes to have a new superintendent in place, but Board President David Linnear told the Chronicle that will depend on the candidates the board will interview. BWP promises a back-up plan if the board doesn’t choose a superintendent by the time Smith leaves.
The superintendent job posting for the position closes May 4, but Steve Griesbach of BWP told board members at the April 27 meeting that from the applications already in-hand, “People see this as a very good place” to be a leader. He told board members that BWP hopes the board will find its decision will be “really hard” because it will have excellent candidates to select from.
Griesbach and fellow consultant Johnnie Thomas shared with board members the district-wide survey results and findings from 22 meetings conducted with teachers, administrators, community members and students. From those reports, BWP will prepare a profile of a new superintendent intended to help the board with its selection.
Griesbach said he was delighted to have more than 500 responses to the online survey that was available in English and Spanish. Results showed 48% were concerned about recruitment and retention of teachers, and 43% said student achievement was crucial.
Overall, Griesbach said all parties want a superintendent with high integrity who is a problem solver and a strategic thinker. They want the person to make a commitment to the community, rather than using the job as a stepping stone, and be a good communicator able to listen to all parties and respond according to their concerns.
The community input also called for the new superintendent to have classroom experience and recognize the diversity of the district.
