Traits, challenges for next sup’t unveiled

Lybrook School District takes the next step

Posted

The Lynbrook School District took the next step in its superintendent search process when the Board of Education adopted a resolution at its Nov. 20 meeting to accept the results of a report that outlined the characteristics and qualifications, among other things, that new superintendent should possess.

School Leadership, LLC, a consulting firm hired by the board to conduct a superintendent search, presented its report after gathering feedback from hundreds of community members last month. Dr. Charles Fowler, the firm’s president, made the presentation in which he told the board and the dozens of people in the audience the most frequently cited strengths of the district and community, challenges the new superintendent will face, characteristics and background experience that should be sought in a new superintendent, and suggested summaries of major characteristics to be sought in candidates.

Among the challenges for the next superintendent that Fowler presented were implementing the changes in the district’s Annual Professional Performance Review, working with the current tax levy cap and dealing with unfunded mandates.

In his time speaking with community members, Fowler said they want a superintendent who has classroom and budgetary experience and who is highly visible in the community, in addition to other qualities.

Last month, many community members made it clear that they want Interim Superintendent Dr. Melissa Burak to get the job. At the Nov. 20 meeting, Trustee Bill Belmont said the board has to do its due diligence when searching for the district’s next superintendent.

Belmont compared the superintendent position to that a company’s CEO. “We have a $75 million budget, we have hundreds of employees and the position itself comes with a large salary,” he said. “Spending money to attain the search firm is reasonable, considering the importance of the position and the impact of the community.” The board is paying School Leadership up to $18,000 for its services.

Page 1 / 2