A new superintendent search is being mounted by the Carmel Clay School Board. Despite announcing three finalists as a part of their initial search, board members felt that more time needs to be taken to search for the best possible candidate for the position.
“The board is looking for a good fit. We expect to hire a superintendent whose skills fall in line with the leadership profile posted on our website, who is ready to take the next step in his or her career and who can lead the Carmel schools with passion,” said board member Tricia Hackett in an e-mail last week.
In February of this year, the school board partnered with BWP & Associates, an educational leadership search consultant firm, and began the superintendent search. BWP & Associates was hired as part of a $16,000 contract.
“The board does not yet know what role (BWP & Associates) will play going forward, but the $16,000 includes their services until a final candidate is selected,” said Tricia Reynolds, CCS Community Relations Coordinator.
The board originally announced three finalists for the superintendent position as part of a “traditional but condensed” superintendent search process in March. In early April, one of the finalists, New Albany Schools Supt. Dr. Bruce Hibbard, pulled himself from consideration. Hibbard was the only candidate currently working as a superintendent.
After holding such an extensive and public interview process including a public forum for each candidate, many are left to question what went wrong in the initial search and how the board is working for a better outcome moving forward.
“As we do with all initiatives at CCS, time will be devoted to reflecting and learning from this experience,” Hackett said. “The initial search resulted in an excellent leadership profile and exposure among state and national education leaders.”
At this point, many specifics of the new search for a superintendent are still in flux.
“There is not a concrete timeline established yet,” Hackett said. “The timeline is just one piece that is being determined by the board.”
Earlier this year, Dr. Jeff Swensson announced that he would be stepping down as superintendent in June.
Superintendent Search 2013
To see the school board’s updates as well as the process timeline, visit www1.ccs.k12.in.us/district/school-board/SuperintendentSearch.