Criteria Set for Superintendent Search Process
Guided by input gathered in dozens of community meetings, the Board firmed up the professional qualifications, personal characteristics and leadership qualities they want to see in candidates for the Canyons superintendency. Superintendent Search Consultants Rickie McCandless and Claudia Seeley facilitated the Board’s discussion on the criteria, which will be included in the superintendent search brochure they’re drafting for national distribution. The criteria are:
Professional Qualifications:
- Ph.D., Ed.D. or equivalent preferred
- Experience in K-12 education, including classroom and administrative experience
- Experience working with diverse student populations
- Proficiency in communications, including writing and speaking
- Willingness to become familiar with and understand Utah culture
Personal Characteristics:
- Honest leader with high integrity
- Visionary, forward-thinking leader
- Creative problem-solver
- Strategic planner with good organizational skills
- Personable, engaging, charismatic, approachable leader with good humor
Leadership Qualities:
- Persuasive, effective communicator, open to listening to others
- Effective collaborator, willing to bring own and others’ ideas to the table
- Willing to walk in the trenches and spend time in all corners of the District
- Good delegator who holds others accountable for doing their jobs
- Ability to inspire others
The consultants received input on the characteristics and qualifications the public would like to see in the new superintendent from School Community Councils, PTAs, business leaders, employee groups, elected officials, the Canyons Education Foundation, and other stakeholder groups, beginning in mid-October. They also took input on strengths and challenges of the District. The Board discussed strengths, including hard-working staff members; supportive parents, community leaders and an education foundation; a climate of innovation and change; a location close to world-class skiing and recreational opportunities. The Board discussed challenges, including low- per-pupil funding; aging communities and school facilities; a challenging political environment for public education; and high community expectations.
The consultants will summarize the public input in a report, which will be posted for public view on the Superintendent Search Web page.
Board member Tracy Cowdell noted the Board’s discussion reflected priorities identified by the public. Board members expressed appreciation for the public input process to guide them in selecting the criteria for candidates.
The consultants also showed a draft Superintendent Search brochure. The criteria selected by the Board will be included in the brochure, which will be posted for public view on the Superintendent Search Web page. The brochures also will be distributed nationwide as part of the superintendent search. Additionally, the consultants have reserved space in national and local publications and Web sites, and will send information to universities and executive search companies about the superintendent job announcement. Printed materials will be prepared next month.
Closed Session
The Board met in closed session for the purpose of discussing the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual.
