Hiring the Superintendent: A Model Process for Conducting an Effective Search

Mike Boring, Al Cohen, Rich Parker

THE FOUR PHASES

Phase I - Planning• Identify the desirable characteristics of the

future superintendent

• Establish the timeline and target dates for the selection process

• Develop a promotional brochure and advertise the position

Phase II - Searching• Stakeholder Meetings - Identify and

solicit input from various groups

• Develop an application form

• Actively recruit for the position

Phase III - Reviewing• Evaluate each application

• Conduct reference checks on the applicants

• Review the candidates with the board

• Assist the Board in determining which candidates to interview

• Develop a set of interview questions

Phase IV - Deciding• Assist the board in establishing interview and visitation

procedures

• Coordinate the candidate interviews

• Assist the board in establishing compensation parameters

• Keep all candidates informed of their status in the selection process

Recruiting and Hiring a Quality Superintendent

• Selection Criteria• Comply with the Open Public Meetings Act• Establish Realistic Timelines• Advertising the Position• Recruit Quality Applicants• Comprehensive Application Materials• Screen Applicants and Reference Checks• Interviewing the Candidates• Selecting the New Superintendent

M&J / WSSDA Washington Searches Aberdeen School District, Aberdeen Arlington School District, Arlington Battleground School District, Battleground Bellevue School District, Bellevue Chehalis School District, Chehalis Chewelah School District, Chewelah Clover Park School District, Lakewood Coupeville School District, Coupeville Crescent School District, Joyce East Valley School District, Spokane Eatonville School District, Eatonville Federal Way Public Schools, Federal Way Kelso School District, Kelso Kittitas School District, Kittitas Lynden School District, Lynden Morton School District Mt. Baker School District, Deming North Kitsap School District, Poulsbo North Thurston Public Schools, Lacey

Northport School District, Northport

Ocosta School District, Westport Olympia School District, Olympia Orcas Island School District, Orting School District, Orting Port Townsend School District Rainier School District, Rainier Richland School District, Richland Ridgefield School District Sequim School District, Sequim Shaw Island School District, Shaw Island Shelton School District, Shelton Skykomish School District, Skykomish South Whidbey School District, Langley Steilacoom School District, Steilacoom Tenino School District, Tenino Tukwila School District, Tukwila Tumwater School District, Tumwater West Valley School District, Yakima

Washington State School Directors’

Association

221 College Street NE

Olympia, Washington 98516

360-493-9231

McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C.

7905 L St., Suite 310

Omaha, Nebraska 68127

402-991-7031/888-375-4814

Email: mail@macnjake.com

www.macnjake.com

Our Washington Consultants

Dr. Michael Boring

Dr. Al Cohen

Dr. William Dean

Ms. Barb Dean

Mr. Rich Parker

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