“AASB did a great job of identifying the various stakeholders in our community and soliciting their views in an efficient, thorough and thoughtful manner.”
Superintendent|Finder can be customized to meet your school board’s needs. Prices generally range from $6,000 for a basic regional search to $12,000 for a national search. To learn more about the three-tier service, call AASB Director of Board Development Susan Salter at 800/562-0601 or ssalter@AlabamaSchoolBoards.org.
— Kelly Horwitz, Tuscaloosa City School Board the online questionnaire and focus group interview questions that reflected the board’s concerns and key issues facing the community. “Using this dual approach, we were able to construct a clear profile of community expectations to help focus our search. The methodology and analysis were well constructed and delivered results that were valid and reliable.” Though flexible in its design, the community engagement service generally consists of a customizable online survey as well as a series of public meetings and/or focus groups, all designed to garner feedback on the traits and experiences the community and employees think will be important in the next leader and issues or challenges they think he or she will face after taking office. In addition, AASB administers a leadership questionnaire that asks the board and meeting participants to rate the importance of more than two dozen key traits of leaders. Results are then analyzed and compared by demographic groups to give the school board a more complete assessment of community and employee desires. As it did with both Huntsville and Tuscaloosa, AASB can handle the community engagement component of the search even when a school board opts to have a private firm conduct the search. “We’re here to provide whatever piece of the puzzle will best serve our members,” Howell said. To ensure a high level of quality, AASB has contracted with search consultants: retired Florence Superintendent Dr. Kendy Behrends; Auburn Superintendent Dr. Terry Jenkins; retired Troy Superintendent Hank Jones, who also worked as the mentor program coordinator for School Superintendents of Alabama; and Dr. James Wright, retired associate dean of education at Auburn University at Montgomery and a former leadership and management specialist for the state Department of Education. “Ultimately, the quality of the service we provide is directly tied to the strength of our team. This is an incredibly talented group of highly respected education leaders – all with strong Alabama ties. They know our state. They know how to work effectively with the school board and how important that is to the long-term health of the system. And they come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences,” Howell said. n Susan Salter is AASB’s director of board development. For more information, contact Susan at 800/562-0601 or ssalter@AlabamaSchoolBoards.org.
PLAN 1 • Advertise and assist the board regarding the search process. • Conduct electronic survey on expected characteristics of new superintendent (optional). • Publish descriptive brochure. • Distribute brochure to the following: - Each school system in Alabama - School Superintendents of Alabama (online posting) - Alabama colleges/universities with teacher training programs - State school boards associations in the Southern Region • Advertise vacancy via AASB website. • Receive credentials from candidates. • Notify candidates if their application packet is incomplete. • Respond to inquiries regarding the vacancy. • Conduct checks of credentials and references. • Schedule interview dates with finalists. • Notify candidates who were not selected as finalists. • Provide interview guide for boards. • Facilitate, within 90 days of the superintendent taking office, a discussion of board/system goals and the method that will be used to evaluate the superintendent.
PLAN 2 • Provide all services listed in Plan 1. • Conduct up to six meetings with constituent groups. • Present analysis of community feedback during board meeting or work session. • Facilitate board meeting or work session to finalize Leadership Profile and requirements.
PLAN 3 • Provide all services listed in Plans 1 and 2. • Advertise position in these additional locations: - Education Week - SchoolSpring.com - AASA website - State school boards associations nationwide - National Association of Superintendent Searchers • Facilitate board meeting or work session to develop candidate interview questions. Alabama School Boards • Summer 2011 5