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Board to review superintendent candidate packets April 24; applications above expectations, staff to deliver vetting materials
Summary
Board members discussed pace and quality of the superintendent search, heard that 22 applications had been received with many pending and that the district expects more before the April 17 closing; members set an April 24 working session to begin packet review and asked staff for thorough vetting.
The Santa Fe Public Schools Board on April 10 discussed the timeline and screening process for the district's superintendent search, agreeing to begin board-level review of candidate materials the week of April 24 and asking staff to provide comprehensive vetting information.
Interim Superintendent Veronica Garcia reported that 22 applicants had been received at the time of her update, with 10 pending and several applicants from out of state. "We still have a week to go," she said, noting the formal application deadline is April 17. Multiple board members said the pool of candidates was larger than expected and that the board should balance speed with thorough vetting.
Board members agreed on a practical schedule: staff will deliver vetted application packets by close of business April 23 so board members can review them in advance, and the board will hold a focused session on April 24 at 3 p.m. to begin candidate evaluation and to determine which applicants will advance to interviews. The board discussed options to continue review into the morning of April 25 if needed and to recess and reconvene as allowed by meeting-notice rules.
"There's no intention of picking a warm body that isn't the perfect leader for our district," Board Member Posey said during the discussion; other members emphasized standard best practices, student voice and the need to consider timing and district continuity. A student board member said she had met with a member of the search team and urged the board to ensure student perspectives are included in the process.
Staff told the board that deeper background checks, social-media footprint reviews and reference checks are under way and that additional vetting will be provided in the materials delivered to the board. The board also noted the logistical constraints of interviewing experienced superintendents, many of whom are currently employed, and the need to be flexible with scheduling.
No appointment was made at the April 10 meeting; the board set follow-up dates and asked staff to produce the application matrices and vetted packets for review. The board is scheduled to meet April 24 for a focused session on applications and budget issues, then to continue the search process as determined by packet review and interviews.
