Search is on for new Fayetteville superintendent

— The "help wanted" sign is officially out for a school superintendent.

Applications, including a cover letter, resume, proof of certification and references, are due March 31, according to the job posting at the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators. The job also will be posted with the American Association of School Administrators in the coming days, said Tim Hudson, School Board president.

At A Glance

Position Profile

Characteristics wanted in Fayetteville’s new superintendent:

• Commitment to Fayetteville Public School’s mission and goals

• Dedication to high student achievement

• Collaborative leader with the ability to organize an effective team and delegate authorities and duties

• Proven record of teaching and administrative experience

• Possess strong interpersonal skills and such qualities as integrity, judgement, enthusiasm and a passion for education

• Understanding of school law, budget and finance

• Politically astute with the ability to embrace local values and culture as well as integrate into the community

• Effective leadership and organization sklls

Source: Fayetteville School District

The School Board hasn't decided whether to hire a firm for a national search. Two proposals are on the table from Ray and Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and McPherson & Jacobson of Omaha, Neb.

Hudson said a meeting could be called within the next week and a half to decide how to proceed on the national search.

Board members agreed they will head up the search in Arkansas because of their familiarity with the state and superintendents who might be interested. The search broadens if a search firm supplies a list of names, particularly from outside Arkansas, said Jim Halsell, a board member.

A search firm also can provide names of prospective applicants from Arkansas or elsewhere who might not be looking at job sites on the Internet, Halsell said.

Hudson said Tuesday he hasn't received any inquiries or applications.

Susan Heil, board member, said a national search can bring in a larger pool of candidates.

"It's a way to draw in the best candidate," she said. "It's a broader spectrum and makes you more confident to get the right person."

Three board members are new to the process because they were elected after Superintendent Vicki Thomas was hired.

Justin Eichmann said he isn't sure what to expect. "Certainly there are people out there who would want to come to Northwest Arkansas and to Fayetteville. It's such a unique position. It's a very difficult job; you wear lots of hats and take on a lot of responsibilities."

Thomas resigned effective June 30. She is completing her fifth year at the helm of Fayetteville schools.

The board approved a nine-point position profile to describe the type of individual they want.

The profile was posted on the district website for about two weeks to allow residents to comment on the characteristics they want to see in the next superintendent. About a dozen responses were received with most of the comments agreeing with the attributes in the profile.

Ray and Associates did the search that found Thomas. Of the 42 applications received, three were from Arkansas. Before the search in 2009, the board's efforts netted 13 applicants. The job was offered to then-Bryant Superintendent Richard Abernathy who backed out after accepting the offer. Abernathy is the executive director of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators.

Arkansas Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell spent several hours discussing the job with the board in February. He said three days later he wasn't pursuing the job.

The board hopes to have a new superintendent in place July 1.

With a new superintendent on board by July 1, there's no lapse of time, no question of leadership, Heil said. "We have a chance to make that happen."

NW News on 03/05/2014

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