Meetings planned on superintendent search

Talk about it

South Washington County Schools’ has begun working on the replacement of Superintendent Tom Nelson, who is retiring as of June 30, 2009.

The School Board has contracted with School Exec Connect, a national superintendent search firm, to assist with the search. School Exec Connect consultants working with the district’s search are Dr. Kenneth Dragseth, Dr. Antoinette Johns and Mr. Bob Ostlund.

To begin the process for hiring a new superintendent, the consultants will meet with board members, employees, parents and community members – individually, and in focus groups, in November and early December to determine the challenges, strengths, goals of the district and what characteristics or skills are needed in the next superintendent. The Community Focus Groups are being held on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. at Woodbury High School in the Group Room and also on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. at the District Service Center in Cottage Grove.

Additionally, staff and community members will have the opportunity to give confidential written feedback to the consultants through the district’s web site. Using this information, the consultants will develop a profile of the desired skills and characteristics in the next superintendent.

The position will be advertised internally and the board will interview internal candidates forwarded by the consultants in December.

Four district assistant superintendents hold licensure including Randy Zipf, secondary instruction, Linda Rull, elementary instruction, Rick Spicuzza, curriculum and instruction, and Mark Porter, human relations and legal services, and three others, are eligible to apply.

If an internal candidate is successful, a contract will be offered to that candidate and the search process will end. If there are no internal candidates selected, other candidates will be recruited nationally until March.

In March the School Board and consultants will review applications and select applicants to be screened. After the board has interviewed five or six recommended candidates, they will narrow the field to two or three finalists. The board will then interview the final candidates. At this point, the board will ask members of the staff and community to be involved in the interview process. After selecting the finalist, the board may conduct a site visit to the candidate’s home district. The plan is to offer a contract to a potential superintendent as soon as one has been selected and act on the new superintendent’s contract within a reasonable time.

To provide confidential feedback to the School Board, go to the district’s web site at www.sowashco.k12.mn.us then Hot Topics – Superintendent Search. Feedback may also be emailed to the consultants at mdragseth@comcast.net or fax the feedback form to School Exec Connect at 847-579-1586.

Contact Ken Dragseth (952-210-2790 or mdragseth@comcast.net), Toni Johns (651-481-1293 or antoinettejohns@nemetro.k12.mn.us or Bob Ostlund (612-308-8997 or ostlundbob@aol.com) with any questions regarding the search process or School Exec Connect at (847) 220-1585.

Tags: search, superintendent, school_district_833