District 13 sets vision for new superintendent

District 13 knows what it wants in its next leader. The Board of Education adopted the specifications for its superintendent search at the Jan. 25 meeting.

The criteria for the next superintendent was established by the district’s search firm, School Leadership, LLC, after a series of meetings with board members, teachers, staff and the community. Board President Frank Chiachiere said that School Leadership officials met with 13 different groups totaling 81 people. They also received 104 completed online surveys.

Dr. Elizabeth Lison is retiring as superintendent at the end of the school year after eight years in Valley Stream. The board is hoping to appoint her successor in April, and that person would start on July 1.

The criteria calls for the next superintendent to have experience as an elementary school teacher and principal, as well as time working in a school district’s central office. Chiachiere said it is important to have someone who has worked with a Board of Education before, has taken part in executive session and has dealt with personnel and legal matters.

Visibility in the schools and at district functions is also an important trait for the next superintendent. Chiachiere said they don’t want a leader who sits in an office all day. “We want somebody who’s going to be in the buildings, to inspire teachers to do their best,” he said.

Good communication skills, experience in a successful and diverse school district, and a child-centered focus are among the other criteria. It also calls for a politically-savvy leader who will fight for the school district.

Chiachiere said that the Board of Education is not looking for someone who plans to use District 13 as a stepping stone for a bigger job, but rather someone who will retire with the district, as Lison will do. “We want somebody to come and we want them to stay,” he said.

Based on the search criteria, which was put together with much community input, Chiachiere said it appears that people are happy with the district and are looking for another leader similar to Lison.

With the search criteria now established, an advertisement will appear in the New York Times for the position. Chiachiere said that School Leadership will also recruit candidates. The hope, he said, is to interview six to eight candidates over a weekend, then narrow it down to one or two finalists.

“The most important decision a Board of Education ever makes is to appoint a superintendent,” he said. “You always want somebody sitting in that chair who’s going to make sound decisions. I remain confident that we’re going to get a very strong candidate.”