Board launches search for new schools chief

Last updated Jan 19, 2010 12:0pm0

The patrons of the Sisters School District and the district's staff will weigh in on what they're looking for in a new schools superintendent.

Elaine Drakulich announced that she will step down from that post at the end of her three-year contract, which closes June 30.

In a letter to district patrons, school board chair Christine Jones announced, "On Thursday, February 4 we will hold two input sessions. During these sessions the search consultant will provide an opportunity for you to weigh in on the 'qualities and qualifications' for the next superintendent. Both will be held in the lecture room at Sisters High School. The first one is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and is for Sisters School District staff. The second meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. for other community members."

(See the full text of Jones' letter accompanying the online version of this story at http://www.nuggetnews.com.)

Board member Cheryl Stewart said input from the public is critical to the board's search.

"We just want to make sure our perspective is well-rounded and sensitive to what the interests of the community might be," she said.

Contributions from staff are equally important.

"We are really sensitive to the issues they have and the challenges they are going through with the tightened budgets," Stewart said. "It's more important than ever that they have (input) on the leadership of the district."

According to Jones' letter, there will also be an opportunity to provide input through an electronic survey. The survey will be posted on the Sisters School District Web site and on School Loop by the end of this week.

Volunteers, including staff and community members, may participate on the district's screening committee. The screening committee will take approximately a week to read through all the applications and rank them to come up with the first round of candidates.

"At this point, our plan is to include on the committee all those who are interested in participating, unless we are absolutely inundated with volunteers," Jones stated.

The board will conduct interviews and reference checks in mid-April as it selects finalists.

"Our aim is to have narrowed the field to a few highly qualified finalists by the end of April," Jones stated.

Letter to district patrons

February 15, 2010

Dear Sisters School District community members,

The School Board very much welcomes your input in the search for a new superintendent. Monday we met to hire a search consultant (OSBA) and to plan the overall calendar. The process will be much the same as the last time. There will be several opportunities for you to participate in the process. Here is the tentative calendar that we have worked out.

On Thursday, Feb. 4 we will hold two input sessions. During these sessions the search consultant will provide an opportunity for you to weigh in on the "qualities and qualifications" for the next superintendent. Both will be held in the Lecture Room at Sisters High School The first one is scheduled for 3:30 and is for Sisters School District staff employees. The second meeting is scheduled for 6:30 for other community members.

There will also be an opportunity to provide input through an electronic survey. The survey will be posted on the Sisters School District website and School Loop by the end of next week. Based on this input the Board will work with the search consultant on a position advertisement, though we intend to post an abbreviated version as soon as possible.

On March 31 in the evening there will be a training session for volunteers, including staff and community members, who wish to be members of the screening committee. The screening committee will take approximately a week to read through all the applications and rank them so that we come up with the first round of candidates. At this point, our plan is to include on the committee all those who are interested in participating, unless we are absolutely inundated with volunteers. As we get closer to the date, we will be asking for people to indicate their interest in serving on this screening committee.

In mid April the Board will be conducting interviews and reference checks and selecting finalists. Our aim is to have narrowed the field to a few, highly qualified finalists by the end of April.

On May 3 we are planning to bring the finalists to Sisters for visits to the schools, hold a "meet the candidates forum" for staff and community members. The forum will be late in the afternoon/early evening on May 3. The final round of interviews will take place on May 4.

The Board certainly appreciates that change is not easy. We are confident, however, that because of the strength and high standards of our school district, our skilled and committed staff, and involved community we will be able to hire an outstanding superintendent.

Thank you in advance for doing all that you can to ensure a smooth transition.

Sincerely,

Christine Jones

Sisters School Board Chair