“You don’t do this alone, like the CEO of a company,” he said. “We are in this together.” – Dr. Louis Birchbauer, search services consultant for WASB, on the selecting a new superintendent
By Maureen Vander Sanden
SLN Staff
The search is on for a new superintendent of Elkhorn Area School District.
On Monday, the School Board approved contracting Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) to provide consulting services in the search for a successor to District Administrator Greg Wescott who announced in August he would retire from his post at the end of the school year.
At a cost of up to $15,000, WASB will coordinate a search tailored to the desires of Elkhorn’s school district, according to Dr. Louis Birchbauer, a search services consultant for WASB, who was present at the Oct. 22 meeting.
Birchbauer said WASB’s process is designed to strengthen relationships between board members, the community and its new superintendent.
“We’re looking for one, and that’s very important,” he said. “…We will give you rubrics to evaluate candidates.”
Before the search gets under way, he said he and his team will gain insight locally through discussions of the uniqueness of the school district, challenges over the next five years, changes officials would like to see, and other qualities and skills officials are looking for in its next superintendent.
The process will kick off Oct. 31 with a planning meeting among the consultant and School Board.
At next week’s meeting, officials are expected to discuss timelines, possible internal candidates, the extent and type of community involvement the board desires, search services budget, advertising, media relations and confidentiality.
From there, the board will plan and conduct focus groups.
Through a series of focus groups with the board, school staff and citizens, criteria for selecting a new leader is most clearly defined, according to the consultant.
Data generated from the meetings, he said, will influence aspects of the search including the vacancy announcement, application essays and questions used for interviews.
Focus groups, he contends, not only provide for important feedback from the community, but also strengthen connections with district residents and school stakeholders.
“You don’t do this alone, like the CEO of a company,” he said. “We are in this together.”
Advertising for the position is expected to begin the first week of November.
WASB, through its network, will advertise online to attract candidates nationwide.
Before the position is posted, however, discussions will take place with School Board members as to how the announcement is worded, as well as through what, if any mediums it will be advertised beyond the online posting.
A crucial part of the application, according to WASB officials, is developing a set of two to four essay questions for applications. Questions are developed based on the criteria identified by focus groups.
Applicants’ essays must provide concrete examples of work experience and allows the board to assess written communication skills.
Complete applications will include a letter of intent that is aligned with the profile outlined in the vacancy announcement, a signed application form, resume, copies of transcripts of post-secondary work, a copy of the applicant’s superintendent license or evidence of eligibility, three letters of reference, and answers to essay questions.
The tentative application deadline is Nov. 28.
From those completed applications, the Board, with the help of WASB, will determine who to interview. The first rounds of interviews and selection of finalists will take place before Christmas.
At a subsequent planning meeting, the board and consultant will plan for second interviews, reference checks, optional community visits and publicity.
Birchbauer said there are separate features to consider between interviews, including the opportunity to introduce serious candidates to the public via a public forum.
“Then the board can see how those candidates actually act in public and respond to people,” he said.
The draft schedule has Jan. 2 or 3 marked for the final rounds of interviews with a final selection eyed by Jan. 9.
If by chance the board does not have a solid candidate or two picked after the second round of interviews, Birchbauer said the calendar he proposed does allow for adequate time in reporting.
“My hope was to have you announce a superintendent before the end of January and that would allow that person selected to settle their personal life so they can be ready to start here if there are major decisions…” he said.
The new superintendent is set to begin July 1.
While WASB does all scheduling and administrative legwork for the board, Birchbauer said members should consult with the district’s legal counsel to negotiate salaries and benefits.
“We also offer the opportunity after the person starts to do goal setting sessions, evaluation process and coaching program establish a team building relationship,” he said, explaining his work is not finished with a hire.
Birchbauer anticipates the School Board will get between 12-25 completed applications to choose from.
“This time of year, a school district of this size and location, were talking about teens to the twenties,” he said. “To say going we’ll get 50 applicants? I have not seen any districts that have had 50 applicants. They may have had 50 inquiries but not 50 applicants.”
Board member David Ketchpaw said the schedule seems “rather aggressive,” and asked if the timeline proposed is normal.
Birchbauer’s response was yes.
“It’s a good length of time.”
“I will tell you the frustrating thing for consultants,” he continued. “We will post a position Nov. 2 and we will get the majority of our completed applications somewhere between the 20th.
“They (applicants) will not put their information out too soon. There is always a concern about confidentiality, so the longer they hold onto it, the longer they can keep it.”
Last year, the WASB conducted 17 successful searches, he said.
Wescott, 60, gave his official notification of retirement at the Aug. 13 School Board meeting, noting that the past 16 years as Elkhorn’s district administrator were the best part of his 40-year career.
No specific reason prompted his decision, he said at the time.
“I love this district and the people here, I just thought that 40 years of working in public schools was enough,” he said.
