ROGERS -- The School District's next superintendent should be someone who's trustworthy and has a "student-first" philosophy, according to criteria set by the School Board on Thursday.
Those are the top two of 13 traits the board is seeking in its next superintendent. A flier advertising the position will include a list of those traits and be posted online today, according to Brenda Dietrich of Ray and Associates, the firm assisting the board with the search.
Top qualities
The Rogers School Board will list the following 13 qualities it seeks in its next superintendent on a flier advertising the position. The board ranked its six most favored qualities in order; it agreed upon the other seven without ranking them.
Inspires trust, has high levels of self-confidence and optimism, and models high standards of integrity and personal performance.
Is strongly committed to a “student first” philosophy in all decisions.
Is able to lead a large organization dedicated to goals of continuous improvement.
Is a strong communicator; speaking, listening and writing.
Is willing to listen to input, but is a decision maker.
Possesses excellent people skills and can present a positive image of the district.
• Possesses the leadership skills required to respond to the challenges presented by an ethnically and culturally diverse community.
• Is able to delegate authority appropriately while maintaining accountability.
• Has experience in the management of district resources and knowledge of sound fiscal practices.
• Can develop and communicate a vision of quality education, including the ability to identify/select administrators capable of advancing district vision.
• Is committed to the importance of both the academic and activity programs.
• Has the ability to develop and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between the business community and the school district.
• Possesses the ability to enhance student performance, especially in identifying and closing or narrowing the gaps in student achievement.
Source: Staff report
Dietrich met with the board Thursday to review results of a survey seeking the public's opinions on those qualities most desired in the next superintendent. The survey listed 33 traits and asked people to select the 10 that were most important to them.
By far the top trait from the survey was "inspires trust, has high levels of self-confidence and optimism, and models high standards of integrity and personal performance." The board agreed that trait should be listed first on the flier.
"You can have a perfect superintendent, but if people meet you and don't trust you, it's all over," said Kristen Cobbs, board president.
The board chose "strongly committed to 'student first' philosophy in all decisions" as its next most important quality, which ranked third on the survey.
Ray and Associates compiled data from the survey results and showed how each characteristic ranked in importance, both overall and by groups such as teachers, administrators and parents. Teachers were the most responsive group, accounting for 177 of the 401 people who took the survey.
Among the higher-ranking characteristics from the survey was the demonstration of strong leadership skills in previous positions. While board members had ranked that trait 12th, it came in eighth overall in the survey.
The board decided not to include that trait on the flier because it might discourage potential applicants who haven't held a superintendent position.
"You can have good leadership skills and never have been a superintendent," said Sterling Wilson, board member.
"Willing to listen to input" ranked fourth overall, but second among teachers.
"Anybody in a leadership position that's successful has to have input. If they're a good leader, they should," Wilson said.
In addition to posting the survey, Ray and Associates hosted a series of 16 stakeholder meetings in the community last week to gather the public's feedback on what they want to see in the district's next leader.
"There's a lot of pride, not only in the schools but in the community," Dietrich told the board. "I think you will have quality candidates applying for this position."
The board can expect anywhere from 50 to 70 people to apply, Dietrich said. The application deadline is March 4. Mid-April is the board's target for choosing a finalist.
Ray and Associates welcomed those attending the stakeholder meetings to submit names of people who should be considered for the job. Dietrich said they received 12 names through that process.
The job is being advertised in several places, including Education Week, which will charge about $4,000 for the ad to run three times in print and twice on its website.
Ray and Associates has about 170 associates spread across the country who will pass along word of the job to people they know might qualify for it, Dietrich said.
The flier, in addition to providing details about the district and the job, advertises the salary as being "in the range of $200,000," but states the final salary will be negotiated and determined based on experience, qualifications and meeting the board's criteria.
The board settled on that wording during a special meeting last week. The salary is in line with other districts of Rogers' size, Wilson said.
Janie Darr, the district's current superintendent, announced in December her intention to retire at the end of this school year after 17 years in the position. Her salary is $226,000 plus benefits, according to Cobbs.
NW News on 02/05/2016