Moving forward with supt. search

CRESCO - With the start of the next fiscal year creeping up on July 1, 2022, Howard-Winneshiek School board members hired McPherson & Jacobson, Executive Recruitment and Development to assist in the hiring of a new superintendent.
 
Timeline
April 13 — School /community input meetings
April 13 at 11:59 p.m. — Application window closed
April 27 — Board closed session to review candidates, select finalists and finalize interview schedule
May 9 — Interviews and selection of new superintendent
 
Meetings
On April 13, consultants Dennis Bahr and Lyle Schwartz came to the district to speak with stakeholders. During the day, they met with administrators, students, support staff and teachers. In the afternoon, community members answered questions. 
During the community meeting, they said there were 15 applications.
One of the requests was longevity in hiring a new superintendent. They explained the average time a person stays in the position is 3.5-4.5 years.
The consultants said that although it seems late to be looking for a superintendent, there are still good people looking at the position.
After all the applications are in, Bahr and Schwartz will then do background checks on the candidates. “We read the recommendations that come with the applications. We get the names of 3-5 teachers from the board president. By the end, we have talked to 6-8 people, but more likely 10-20.”
The consultants will give their recommendations and reasons to the board.
When Bahr said he looks for honesty, integrity, work ethic and the culture they nurture in the school and community.
Schwartz looks for character and personality.
 
Questions
The McPherson & Jacobson representatives asked four basic questions of all the groups. Schwartz noted the answers were pretty consistent between each group. Some of the answers from the community group included:
1. Tell us the good things about your schools.
• Recent updates to the facility
• Strong relationship with NICC
• Dual credit with community college
• Technology-focused
• Many course offerings
• Good student body, good adminstration and seasoned faculty
• Works with business (Project Lead the Way)
• Community supports both athletics and academics
• Strong Dollars for Scholars committee
• Focus on early childhood
• Campuses well-kept and on one level
• Rural — Not just a number, you are a person
• Supportive Booster Club
• Silver Cord program
• Athletic stadiums — One of best in the state
2. Tell us the good things about your community.
• Cresco Fitness Center and four parks in Cresco and parks in other communities
• Businesses in town fill most needs
• Year-round playground — Good bike/ski/snowmobile trails
• Full service hospital and clinic, as well as dentists and optometrists
• Generous donations
• Safe place to raise a family
• Lots of clubs and activities
• Locals attend each others’ celebrations
• Very active 4-H program
• Wrestling Hall of Fame
• Public art — Statues/murals
• Three, nine-hole golf courses in county 
3. What skills, qualities or characteristics should the new superintendent possess to be successful here?
• Good communication skills
• Get involved in community
• Unite the local communities; build trust
• Be accepting of everyone
• Kids first instead of How-Winn being a stepping stone
• Experience in comparable-sized districts
• Supports teachers and principals but hold them accountable as well
4. What issues should the superintendent be aware of as he/she comes into the district? 
• The amount of open-enroll students
• Racism/bullying/special needs can be addressed better
• Perception that athletes or a person’s name get preferential treatment
• Change feeling of new addition is more athletic
• Keep public better informed on school happenings
• Outlying towns feel betrayed by district for taking away their elementary schools
With the information taken from the stakeholder meetings and online survey, the school board can make a knowledgeable decision on the district’s next superintendent.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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