Northshore School District board adopts 12-characteristic profile, sets April 20 application deadline for superintendent search

The Northshore School District board met virtually to review outreach results from RAIN Associates and finalize the candidate profile for the district's next superintendent, agreeing to a roughly 10–12 characteristic profile that will guide screening and interviews and confirming an April 20 deadline for applications.

RAIN Associates consultants told the board they received 2,051 survey responses for the search, with more than half coming from parents and families. "Community is the foundation of success," Libra of RAIN Associates said, describing consistent themes that emerged from stakeholder meetings and the written comments.

Consultant Steve Chestnut said the profile will be used both to screen applications and to shape interview questions: "The profile becomes critical to the actual screening of the potential applicants," Chestnut said. The firm reported nine completed applications and 16 incomplete submissions as of the meeting; consultants said they expected more completed applications before the April 20 deadline.

Board members and consultants described the most consistent priorities that emerged from meetings and the 81 pages of written comments: a "supportive community," strong communication, collaboration and transparency, and concerns about budget reductions and an upcoming levy and bond. RAIN Associates presented a ranked list of 31 candidate characteristics and recommended about 10–12 core items to use in advertising and screening.

Board members discussed adding emphasis on special education and on a candidate philosophy that supports services for students with the greatest needs while maintaining strong programming for all students. Director Jacqueline McGarty and other board members supported wording that explicitly recognizes special education needs. Consultants proposed revised language: "Demonstrates a deep understanding of special education that meets the individualized needs of each student, grounded in the belief that designing systems to support those with the greatest needs ultimately strengthens outcomes for all students." Board members signaled broad agreement with that wording.

The board also agreed to add experience effectively working with employee representative groups and unions and to capture community visibility — meaning a superintendent who is seen outside the office at district events and known by community partners — to the core list. Consultants recommended combining two survey items (classroom experience and knowledge of emerging research in curriculum/instruction) into a single characteristic to keep the final profile to about 11–12 items.

Consultants reviewed the search timeline: applications are due April 20; RAIN Associates will vet candidates and provide the board with the top 10–12 candidates and complete application materials on April 27; the board will meet April 30 to select first-round interviewees; the first-round interviews are scheduled for May and are expected to be virtual for candidate participation, with the board gathered together. RAIN Associates noted it will provide short recorded interview videos and written vetting and reference checks as part of the April 27 packet.

Board members and consultants said they will finalize the exact wording of the profile and the first- and second-round interview questions in follow-up communications. No formal vote was recorded at the meeting; consultants said they will circulate draft profile language for final approval before publication.

Next steps: RAIN Associates will finalize and publish the candidate profile and public ad after board review, accept applications through April 20, provide the full candidate packet on April 27, and present recommended finalists on April 30.