Consultant presents superintendent profile based on 782 survey responses and 81 stakeholder interviews

School Exec Connect presented the district’s superintendent profile to the Central CUSD 301 Board of Education, summarizing stakeholder input gathered via focus groups, forums and a community survey.

Kevin O’Hara and Brian Barnhart said the search firm completed 4 focus groups, 2 open forums and a community survey that produced 782 responses plus 81 participants in person. Their report listed district strengths (quality of teaching staff, nurturing classrooms, improving culture, technology integration and special‑education services) and challenges (the need for a clearer vision, leadership stability, district finances and facilities). Survey respondents and focus‑group participants identified building trust and setting a clear vision for the district as top first‑year priorities for the next superintendent.

The firm’s profile described preferred candidate characteristics: a visionary who can build consensus and communicate across constituencies; visible, relational leadership; demonstrated financial and facilities acumen; data‑informed instructional leadership; and a demonstrated commitment to remain in the district long‑term. Consultants emphasized that community trust will be important to any future referendum discussion.

Recruitment update: The firm reported 33 applicants and said it has scheduled about 17 first‑round interviews. School Exec Connect plans to present a vetted slate of five to seven candidates to the board in closed session within a week; the board then would select finalists for public interviews and the firm recommended background checks and reference verification before a hiring decision.

The consultants said they would provide all survey and focus‑group documents to district leadership and recommended posting the superintendent profile publicly to inform finalists and the community.