A half dozen people have applied so far for the job of Everett School District superintendent, some of them from out of state.
The Everett School Board continues its search for someone to replace Carol Whitehead, who retired in August 2008. Applications for the job are due Feb. 5.
“We hope to get great applicants, we don’t care where they’re from,” said Karen Madsen, the board’s president. The board advertised on the Web sites of the Association of School Administrators (WASA) in other states.
She declined to say more about the people who’ve applied this far or where they’re from, citing privacy.
Board members decided to do their own search rather than hire a consultant, citing money savings, more flexibility, and better results in the past.
This past fall, they held community meetings to get input on what people wanted in a superintendent.
Board members had their own ideas on what qualities it wanted to advertise for, but modified their list somewhat after the meetings, which about 50 people attended. Several hundred e-mails and phone calls also poured in on the subject.
While the comments varied, there were some over arching themes.
One was diversity. People cited the growing diversity of the district and the need for someone to recognize and work with it.
Also, board members had wanted someone who’d honor the ongoing work of the district. Several people said that’s fine, but you don’t want to phrase things as if they can’t make changes, Madsen said.
“They said, ‘Look for someone who can make changes if needed,’” she said.
The job description, with the finalized list of qualities, was posted on the district’s Web site in December.
Among the qualities the board is looking for: someone with an “orientation toward results,” “a passion for educating each child,” consensus-building skills, integrity, respecting and valuing racial diversity, focus on “accountability” at all levels and experience with “strategic planning processes.”
“We started a number of years ago trying to orient district activities in the same direction,” Madsen said, explaining what “strategic planning processes” refers to.
The first round of interviews is tentatively set for Feb. 19-22, with a second round if needed, in early March.
The new superintendent will start July 1, but will spend time in the district before that to transition and start meeting the community.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
