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Consultant: ‘Superman’ or ‘superintendent’?
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · April 27, 2011


“Superman doesn’t exist,” a consultant told two dozen people suggesting qualities for a new West Branch school superintendent, “but this is a great list ... with high expectations.”


Parents, teachers, city leaders, business representatives and former school staff appeared April 20 and spent an hour answering three questions: What should an applicant know about West Branch? What skills and abilities would help them succeed? And if you could talk to that person right now, what would you tell them?

Led by Steve Williams of McPherson and Jacobson, a superintendent search firm, the group generated three lists that will be given to the West Branch Board of Education for review on April 28.

Williams expects 12 to 25 applications, but possibly as many as 35, for a search this late in the school year.

“I still think there are quality people out there,” he said. If no suitable candidate is found, though, an interim superintendent will be brought in for a year and the search will begin again in the fall.

Some of the things the group wanted applicants to know about West Branch included: It is a growing community with a low crime rate and good parental support based near Iowa City and the University of Iowa; It has strong traditions in athletics, music and the arts led by good coaches and directors; It is a “tight-knit” community with a strong sense of volunteerism; And the city has both the Hoover Presidential Library-Museum and a Main Street program.

As far as candidate qualities, the group asked for: continued cooperation with the city, Hoover Complex and area schools; community involvement; a willingness to share student academic achievement; supportive of the Talented And Gifted program, teachers, and technology; financial competence; a vision; resourcefulness; conflict resolution; and a passion for children.

Suggestions the group would share with applicants: Be a “community” leader, not just a school leader; be a good family person; do your homework on West Branch and its issues; be thick-skinned; be highly visible and approachable; have a sense of humor; realize that the school district is not “broken” but there is always room for improvement; and realize the value of the districts’ “strong central office staff.”

West Branch Community School Board of Education President Mike Owen appeared briefly at the beginning of the meeting, welcoming the two dozen in attendance for their participation. He said that McPherson and Jacobson suggested school board members not be present for the meeting so as not to possibly stifle suggestions.

“It is important for us to have community input,” Owen said.

The school board created its own list of criteria for the new superintendent at a previous meeting:

• A person of impeccable character who is honest, trustworthy, fair, loyal to the district and who has a good sense of humor.

• A leader with exceptional communications skills, high visibility in the community and at school events, who is easily accessible and approachable. Communication should include positive public relations with patrons and businesses of the district and the ability to stand firm.

• A creative, innovative instructional leader who promotes high expectations and achievement with emphasis on technology, professional development and research-based learning.

• A collaborative superintendent who promotes openness, uses teams effectively and empowers others to make decisions and improve student learning.

• A person with broad understanding of Iowa school finance issues.

Williams, referring to the school board list, said each candidate is asked to write an essay on those criteria “so it’s not just a popularity contest.”

“The essays are a big part,” he said.

Williams noted that not a lot of applications have come in yet, but his experience tells him to expect a lot just before the May 2 deadline.

He said the board wants to interview the top candidates before school gets out so those candidates can walk the halls of the schools while they are still teeming with children and staff.

“We don’t want them wandering empty schools,” he said.

Williams said the superintendent’s position has been posted on about 100 Web sites.

West Branch’s current superintendent, Craig Artist, is leaving June 30 to take another job in Michigan.



GETTING INVOLVED

The Board of Education will meet 5:30 p.m. Thursday with consultants to review input from the community.

The deadline for applications is May 2.

On May 16, the school board and consultants will review candidates to narrow the list to four or five. Interviews will follow May 19, 20, 23 and 24.