The Highland Park Board of Education has kicked off the process of finding the next Highland Park Superintendent of Schools. At the May 4, 2015 Board of Education meeting, the board agreed upon a suggested calendar for the search process that includes ample time for input from everyone in the community. A decision is anticipated by mid July.
To facilitate the search process the board has hired the services of a professional superintendent search firm, ECRA Group, Inc. and its Hazard, Young, Attea Executive Search Division which has successfully completed a number of superintendent searches in New Jersey. They will work with the board to interview candidates, gather comments from all constituents and do a thorough background and reference check of the finalist.
“We will seek to engage all stakeholders, to hear from you about what you are looking for in our next school leader,” said Board President Adam Sherman in a letter to the Highland Park community. “I encourage you to attend the community meeting and provide as much feedback to the board as your time allows. We will be facilitating a number of different avenues of communication including surveys, public meetings and electronic communications with the goal of creating a profile for our next superintendent based on community input.”
The board urges all residents to fill out the online survey by May 18. Individuals are asked to identify the eight (from a list of 25) most important characteristics commonly found in effective superintendents. The survey also encourages comments regarding characteristics that may not have been mentioned in the survey. Please go to: www.ecrasurvey.com/highlandpark.
In addition to the survey, the board welcomes all residents to send comments to: Search@hpschools.net.
Important dates in the search process are the following:
Monday, May 18, 2015
Online Survey Closes
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Presentation of Leadership Profile Draft to the Board
Week of June 1, 2015
Initial Candidate Interviews w/Consultant
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Presentation of Slate
Week of June 15, 2015
Initial Board Interviews
Week of June 22, 2015
Second round interviews
Week of June 29, 2015
Finalists meet w/cabinet and/or others at Highland Park
Week of July 6, 2015
Remaining meetings with finalists (site visits, interviews, etc.)
Week of July 13, 2015
Appointment/Selection of Superintendent
Candidate screening by consultant is on-going throughout the entire search calendar.