Consultants report 528 responses, stakeholder themes as superintendent search advances

McPherson & Jacobson consultants told the Cumberland County Board of Education on the evening of the meeting that they collected input from 528 participants in an online survey and from 15 in-person stakeholder groups as part of the district's superintendent search. Dr. Carroll, a consultant with McPherson & Jacobson, said the K12 Insight survey was open March 20–30 and drew respondents described as parents, staff, students and community members.

The consultants summarized the top qualities respondents want in a new superintendent: visibility and approachability, classroom or school-level experience, strong communication and listening skills, demonstrated fiscal and facilities knowledge, and experience in districts with similar enrollment and demographics. "They want someone who's approachable and visible, who's present, who's at the schools, who's talking to people and building relationships with staff, students and families," Dr. Carroll said.

Consultants reported specific survey results: 27% of respondents identified themselves as parents of current students, 37% as current staff members, 10% as current students, 7% as community members with no school-age children and 6% as "other." On priorities, 76% of respondents rated experience in a district with similar enrollment and demographics as "very important" or "important;" 89% rated prior classroom teaching experience as important or very important; and 92% rated knowledge of finance, operations and facilities as important or very important.

Stakeholder meetings held March 18–20 reinforced the survey findings and highlighted recurring concerns the new superintendent should expect to address quickly: staffing shortages and teacher retention, academic equity and achievement gaps, discipline and behavior management, aging facilities and maintenance issues, special education caseloads and service shortfalls, and transparency and trust between the community and district leadership. "There are academic equity and achievement gaps, disparities in student performance, and inconsistent curriculum and instruction," the consultants reported summarizing stakeholder feedback.

The consultants said the search process has drawn significant interest. McPherson & Jacobson told the board that "applications close on Thursday" in April (date not specified in the presentation) and that the firm will begin vetting completed applications and return to the board with a slate of candidates. Dr. White, also a firm consultant, said the team would provide the detailed reports and raw responses to district staff for board members to review.

The consultants emphasized that the presentation reflected stakeholders' words and that the full reports will include verbatim comments and additional detail for the board's consideration.

Ending

McPherson & Jacobson asked for questions and confirmed they would make the detailed survey and on-site notes available to board members after the meeting. The board did not take formal action on the presentation itself; the consultants said their next step was to finish vetting applicants and deliver candidate materials to the board.