March 11th
We selected three finalists for the position, James McIntyre of Boston Public Schools, Brian Binggeli from Fairfax, Virginia, Public Schools, and Bob Thomas, from Knox County Public Schools. We will invite them back for day-long interviews later this week. We'll arrange for the candidates to meet with a broad cross-section of the community, including school staff, parents, other elected officials, business groups, and the Knox County Education Association.
March 9th
We are in the final stages of selecting a new Superintendent for our school system. We need a strong, effective leader for our children, schools, and community. Fortunately we have some excellent candidates to choose from. You can view the candidates’ applications here.
A lot of people are interested in this job!
Over 180 people from 39 different states contacted the search firm about
the opening; 48 people submitted applications.
The search firm evaluated the applications and, based on our criteria,
narrowed it down to 12 candidates. We
reviewed these applications last Monday and decided to interview 5 people.
We’ve completed 4 of the 5 interviews - the last one is scheduled for
Monday at 5pm. We are
committed to an open selection process and all interviews have been aired live
on TV.
After the last interview we’ll select 2-3
finalists. We’ll invite the
finalists for an all-day interview that will include an opportunity for the
public to meet them, as well as
****
Application Deadline: February 20th, 2008
The application for
our Superintendent Search is now available at Ray
& Associates, our search firm. The deadline is February 20th and all
application materials should be turned in to the search firm. Candidates
should not contact me, or any other member of the Board of Education,
directly. If you know of a good prospective candidate, please encourage
them to apply.
****
What characteristics do we want in our next Superintendent?
In late November, 2007, we surveyed the community about characteristics we are
looking for in our next Superintendent. Our search firm met conducted 4
public forums at area high schools to seek input, and also met with various
stakeholders, including the Knox County Education Association, the Great Schools
Partnership, Knox County Commission, Knoxville City Council, as well as the
Board of Education. I also posted the survey on-line and almost 500 people
took the survey on-line. The results of the on-line survey can be viewed
below. Many people also offered comments.
The characteristic that received the most support from all those who completed a survey was "Inspires trust, has high levels of self-confidence and optimism, and models high standards of integrity and personal performance". I agree and will look for that when we interview candidates.
Below are the results from the on-line survey. These do not include surveys that were filled out in person at the public forums and other stakeholder meetings.
| 1. INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each of the following 32 qualities and mark 10 characteristics you believe are most important to Knox County Schools in the selection of a candidate. You do not need to prioritize your selection; simply place a check mark next to the characteristics which you feel are most important. *** PLEASE SELECT ONLY 10 *** | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Response Percent |
Response Count |
||
| 1. Willing to listen to input, but can
make a decision when necessary.
|
|
49.2% | 223 |
| 2. Remains current on educational issues
|
|
46.4% | 210 |
| 3. Has demonstrated strong leadership
skills in previous positions.
|
|
43.3% | 196 |
| 4. Able to work with legislators.
|
|
21.0% | 95 |
| 5. Possession of an earned Ed.D or Ph.D.
degree.
|
|
21.0% | 95 |
| 6. Inspires trust, has high levels of
self-confidence and optimism, and models high standards of integrity and
personal performance.
|
|
69.3% | 314 |
| 7. Effective communication skills to
include speaking, listening and writing.
|
|
48.1% | 218 |
| 8. Commitment to community visibility
with high interest in a broad range of community groups and
organizations.
|
|
19.9% | 90 |
| 9. Ability to work cooperatively with the
Board of Education.
|
|
43.7% | 198 |
| 10. Successful experience in sound
management practices, including appropriate participation of others in
planning and decision-making.
|
|
40.4% | 183 |
| 11. Ability to build consensus and
commitment among individuals and groups with emphasis on parental
involvement.
|
|
40.4% | 183 |
| 12. Ability to develop and direct an
effective administrative team, with a commitment to the professional
growth and development of team members.
|
|
26.5% | 120 |
| 13. Ability to delegate authority
appropriately while maintaining accountability.
|
|
32.2% | 146 |
| 14. Experience in the management of
district resources and knowledge of sound fiscal procedures.
|
|
32.5% | 147 |
| 15. Possesses excellent people skills.
|
|
35.8% | 162 |
| 16. Committed to keeping the Board
informed.
|
|
11.0% | 50 |
| 17. Strongly committed to a "student
first" philosophy in all decisions.
|
|
58.7% | 266 |
| 18. Ability to develop both short and
long-range district goals.
|
|
27.2% | 123 |
| 19. Ability to develop and communicate a
vision of quality education for the future to the board, staff and
community.
|
|
29.8% | 135 |
| 20. Successful experience in the
selection and implementation of educational priorities consistent with
the interests and needs of students, staff, board and community.
|
|
40.8% | 185 |
| 21. Commitment to the importance of both
the academic and activity programs.
|
|
30.0% | 136 |
| 22. Ability to secure and promote
positive student behavior conducive to student achievement/learning
climate.
|
|
36.4% | 165 |
| 23. Skilled leadership in the development
of inservice training for administrators, support staff and teaching
staff.
|
|
18.3% | 83 |
| 24. Possesses the leadership skills
required to respond to the challenges presented by an ethnically and
culturally diverse community.
|
|
27.2% | 123 |
| 25. Ability to identify and select
building and central office administrators who are capable of advancing
the district vision.
|
|
28.0% | 127 |
| 26. Work experience in a similar
district.
|
|
15.7% | 71 |
| 27. Inspires and motivates others to
achieve or exceed No Child Left Behind annual yearly progress
requirements.
|
|
10.6% | 48 |
| 28. Ability to lead a large organization
dedicated to goals of continuous improvement.
|
|
31.8% | 144 |
| 29. Ability to develop and maintain a
mutually beneficial relationship between the business community and the
school district.
|
|
23.6% | 107 |
| 30. Demonstrated ability to enhance
student performance, especially in identifying and closing or narrowing
the gaps in student achievement.
|
|
35.5% | 161 |
| 31. Demonstrated ability to work with the
media.
|
|
6.4% | 29 |
| 32. Recommendations and decisions are
data driven.
|
|
15.9% | 72 |
