About 20 people gathered around cafeteria tables at LBHS Thursday evening to provide input to the headhunter tasked with finding candidates for MVSD’s next superintendent.
Andy Wolf of Northwest Leadership Associates (NWLA), an education executive search firm, prepared written questions which around 5 groups discussed. Each table then shared their responses publicly. The four questions included strengths and challenges for MVSD as well as desired professional qualifications and personal qualities in the new superintendent.
Strengths presented included strong support for school levies, pragmatic budgets, support for Public School Funding Alliance (PSFA), community partnerships, dedicated staff, nurturing environment, breadth of academic and extracurricular activities, no fees to play sports, emphasis on healthy and active lifestyle, art and music programs, high attendance at sporting events, Methow Pride, International Baccalaureate Program (now defunct), safety, Independent Learning Center (ILC), mental health support, kids know each other, donor culture, 100 acre campus, career and tech opportunities and Classroom in Bloom.
Challenges included state budget cuts, cost of housing, aging school facilities, “undercurrent of culture wars,” struggles with leadership in special education, student enrollment bubbles, lack of vision and comprehensive dental care in valley, unfunded state mandates, broadband access for families, bullying, diversity of household incomes, limited opportunities due to isolation, split campus between ILC and LBHS that takes a toll on time due to travel, reports from kids feeling unsafe on school buses and during recess, balancing core academics with electives, lack of courses on character development, and staff development challenges due to isolation.
Professional qualifications participants cited as important for a new superintendent include teaching and administrative experience, management experience, experience going through COVID in an educational setting, curiosity about learning, curiosity about community, commitment to evidence-based practices, budget experience, legislative savvy and engagement, understanding Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and WAC, strong financial skills, creative solutions to difficult budgets, good communication and delegation, “knowledge of law and wisdom to follow it,” proven record of success, volunteerism, continuous learning about educational leadership, and experience with capital fundraising campaign.
Personal characteristics and qualities include discernment, creative vision, being relatable and approachable, open-minded, empathetic, good communicator, can connect with anyone, asks questions, good listener, high integrity, honesty, easy to work with, good mentor, wants to live here, involved in community, lifelong learner, accessible, collaborative, role model for students, “gratitude for staff working in the trenches,” believes “every student can win,” likes kids, strategic thinker, bridge builder, commitment to equity and inclusion, and “knows their strengths and when to bring in an expert.”
Wolf said he planned to meet with staff and other stakeholders today (Friday). According to his company’s website, the information gathered from their online survey, focus groups like the one conducted Thursday, meetings with district staff, and meetings with each school board member individually will be used to create a profile and develop criteria for the selection of a new superintendent. These criteria will be reviewed by the school board.
Wolf said the average tenure of a superintendent in Washington state is three years. Nearly 40% of school districts in Washington have or have had a superintendent that NWLA has been involved in recruiting. Wolf advised the community to help the new superintendent because they need support to be successful.
Applications for superintendent officially close Feb. 7, unless the school board decides to extend it. Interviews would begin at the end of February, said Wolf. Each candidate would spend a day in the district, meet with staff, community, and interview with the school board. Following an initial reference check for all candidates, a deeper reference check would be completed on the final nominee.
As required by Washington State law, the final decision will be made by the school board in an open session, followed by contract negotiations if the nominee accepts. A new superintendent would typically start July 1.
