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Search consultants present stakeholder findings; 14 applications reported so far
Summary
McPherson and Jacobson presenters summarized themes from 21 stakeholder meetings for Lynchburg City Schools’ superintendent search, urged posting the full report and said 14 applicants had applied as of the report; board asked to change ‘teaching experience required’ to ‘preferred.’
McPherson and Jacobson consultants presented findings from 21 stakeholder meetings and a community survey as part of Lynchburg City Schools’ superintendent search, saying the full report will be posted and that, to date, 14 people have applied.
The consultants summarized recurring themes they heard in interviews with board members, city leaders, staff, students and community groups. “First of all, just the location … people feel like they can live a well balanced life,” Doctor White said when describing why the community is attractive to candidates. Chris Louder added that students were “extremely engaged, extremely knowledgeable” and said that visibility and strong communication were top qualities requested for the next superintendent.
Why it matters: the report will shape the district’s interview questions and the public position description. Board members pressed the consultants about the job advertisement’s language after hearing that “teaching experience required” might discourage otherwise qualified candidates. Doctor Ferry said she would contact the home office to change the ad to show teaching experience as “preferred.” Doctor Gupta had asked for clarification about the ad’s wording during the meeting.
Key findings included repeated calls for a new superintendent who can improve academic achievement, stabilize teacher retention and collaborate with the city council. Consultants reported concerns about local politics and a perceived lack of a unified vision between the school board and superintendent. Other frequent points were teacher turnover attributed to pay competitiveness, an achievement gap that does not match city demographics, transportation challenges and the need for a clear facilities plan that addresses possible school closures.
On recruitment logistics, the consultants said the district would receive and evaluate applications through their firm and post the stakeholder report and position description on the Lynchburg City Schools website and the firm’s site. “We will post this up on your district website. We will post it on our website and our home office, and we will also make it available to potential applicants,” Doctor Ferry said.
Board members asked how many applicants is typical and whether changing the ad’s wording would increase the candidate pool. The consultants said 14 applicants so far was within normal range for their process but that changing the ad from “required” to “preferred” could broaden responses.
A board member asked whether the ad explicitly requiring teaching experience might exclude applicants with strong administrative or private-sector leadership skills. Doctor Ferry responded that she would request the ad be changed to “preferred” the following day. The board co-chair, Doctor Nilles, and staff member Tina Day were noted in the meeting as assisting the search efforts.
The consultants said they would use the stakeholder input to develop interview questions and to brief applicants on the district’s challenges and strengths. They also asked the board to encourage broad community participation in upcoming candidate forums and indicated community sessions would continue as finalists are selected.
Ending: The consultants said the application window would close within weeks and that they would return with updates; the board requested the final stakeholder document be posted publicly on the district website when available.
