District 13 residents invited to special forum for input

District 13 extended an invitation to all members of its school community to attend a meeting at the James A. Dever School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 8. The Board of Education wants input into its direction for the selection process for a new superintendent of schools.

Attendees will meet consultants from School Leadership, the national firm the board is using to conduct the search. The consultants will explain the process and timeline and solicit answers to three questions: what would attract a highly qualified educator to seek the position of superintendent in our school district; what do you see as some of the major leadership challenges that the new superintendent will face over the next three to five years; what prior experiences and personal and professional qualities would you hope the new superintendent will have?

The firm will use the information gathered to create a set of search specifications that the board anticipates approving at its December 16 meeting, according to the district. If approved, the specifications will serve as a guide for the search.

“The first, and probably the most important, part of the process is to identify the personal characteristics and professional qualifications the [District 13] school community would like the new superintendent of schools to possess,” said a statement from the district.

For those who are unable to attend but would like to provide input, the board’s survey can be found on the district website’s homepage.