By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
CHAPEL HILL — Community members and school district staff would like to see a superintendent with experience in budgets and finance, a proven track record of success and experience in the classroom, according to the results of a survey administered by the N.C. School Boards Association.
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education reviewed the survey results last week as part of the district’s search for a new superintendent. The board officially launched the search in October, following Superintendent Neil Pedersen’s July announcement that he would retire next June.
Over the past few months, the district has held two public forums, collected written statements from local organizations and individuals and solicited public opinion via the survey.
Allison Schafer, legal counsel with the N.C. School Board Association, said 1,200 community members and district staff members completed the survey.
“That is an excellent number,†she said, adding that communities of similar sizes normally have 200 to 300 respondents. “That’s a good amount of information for the board to review.â€
While survey respondents gave weight to candidates’ experience as a superintendent and with budgets and finance, respondents were less concerned that candidates have experience in North Carolina or other leadership experience, such as in business or the military.
In addition, respondents said they would like a superintendent to exhibit a commitment to high student achievement.
Both community members and staff said a superintendent should inspire trust, have high levels of self-confidence and optimism and model high standards of integrity and personal performance. Less important to those surveyed were an ability to integrate instructional and administrative technology and a demonstrated ability to work with the media.
Board members also outlined a number of qualities and skills they would like a potential superintendent to possess.
“I’d like to see proven experience in maintaining successful, responsive and interactive communication with all key stakeholders,†board member Greg McElveen said.
Board member Annetta Streater said she would like to see a superintendent who is a cheerleader among the staff and the students.
“You really have to be excited and enthusiastic about the work that’s going on and the work that’s got to be done,†she said.
Board member Jean Hamilton said a superintendent should have a good understanding of program administration, including what is regarded as best-practice and the cost of implementing various programs.
“I think it’s really important to have someone who understands the business, who understands what it takes to deliver a really high-quality education to all our students, and I think that you need to have had that experience as a teacher and as a principal, as well as an administrator,†she said.
Board member Mike Kelley said an ideal candidate would probably have a doctoral degree and would be at a place in his or her career where he or she could spend 10 to 20 years at the helm of the district.
The application period closes on Monday and the board will review applications in February. The board hopes to hire a superintendent by April.
If the community continues to grow, unabated, then the demand for additional and more expensive schools will also continue to push taxes beyond a sustainable level.
The School Board should add a new requirement to the list, if Chapel Hill and Carrboro are going to be able to maintain their high level school district…
“The proven ability to feed 5,000 with only five loaves of bread and two fish.”