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Board approves search contract with Leadership Associates, sets timeline for superintendent search
Summary
The Mountain View Whisman School District board approved a contract with Leadership Associates to run the district's superintendent search and set a timeline of community input and finalist interviews in February and March.
The Mountain View Whisman School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Jan. 30 to hire Leadership Associates to run the district's search for a permanent superintendent, approving a $27,500 contract and agreeing on a timeline that includes surveys and stakeholder forums starting in early February and finalist interviews in late March.
Board President Lambert and consultants from Leadership Associates told trustees the firm will run a community survey Feb. 3'15, hold stakeholder input sessions the week of Feb. 10'11 and provide an online portal of applications in mid-March. Trustees scheduled candidate-review work for March 15 and finalist interviews on March 22 (with an alternate half-day on March 23), with the board aiming to act at its April meeting if negotiations permit.
Leadership Associates representatives described a three-part process: broad community input (survey and group forums), an electronic application portal and closed finalist interviews by the board. The firm recommended closed finalist interviews to avoid deterring current sitting superintendents from applying. The board designated Trustees Lambert and Conley as the district liaisons to the search team and asked staff to aid outreach to principal groups, parent groups, ELAC/DLAC stakeholders and nonprofit and municipal partners. The board and consultants discussed providing Spanish-language forums and hybrid options for people who cannot attend in person.
Trustees emphasized the search should surface a leader with a track record on equity, community engagement, data-driven decision-making and the ability to build relationships with city and nonprofit partners. Several trustees said they would like a candidate familiar with California education and comfortable working in a diverse, resource-rich Bay Area district.
Members of the public and several trustees urged Leadership Associates to reach out to the district's myriad community groups, including school-site councils, PTA/parent foundations, ELAC/DLAC and local nonprofits, and to publicize the survey widely. One caller suggested including a mix of long-serving and new board members on outreach efforts so newer trustees gain experience with the process.
The board also approved scheduling details: the survey Feb. 3'15; in-person stakeholder sessions Feb. 10'11 where feasible; a closed application review session March 15; finalist interviews March 22 (with March 23 as backup); and a potential contract action on the board's April 3 regular meeting.
The motion to approve the Leadership Associates contract was made by Trustee Reid and seconded by Trustee Henry; trustees voted unanimously to approve the agreement.
