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Community speakers press board on delayed superintendent hiring and communication
Summary
Multiple residents used public comment to criticize the pace and transparency of the district's superintendent search, urging the board to clarify community involvement and to consider internal candidate Dr. Hauck.
Several community members used the meeting's public comment periods to press the Dover Area School District Board for clarity and faster action on the superintendent search and to raise concerns about communication from the board.
Kara Hetrick told the board she was "a parent" and said the search has dragged on since the superintendent announced retirement in May; Hetrick criticized the pace of hiring and website communication. She asked whether the entire board had input on a proposed revision to Policy 011 and said the draft removed language that she felt placed students at the center of district decisions.
Spring Davidson, another commenter, said the draft language for Policy 011 appeared to include dated terminology and recommended wording that emphasizes vision and goals from the National School Boards Association. Davidson also asked why certain classic children's books were on a retirement list, saying some titles appeared to be removed simply for age rather than content.
Former teacher and parent Caitlin Rhodes, who signed in to speak, described staff morale as central to student outcomes and urged the board to consider internal candidate Dr. Hauck. Rhodes said a district web page statement dated Sept. 20, 2024, had promised community meetings; when she asked about those meetings she was told by a consultant that the wording was a mistake. Rhodes said consultant Tom Templeton later provided more detailed answers than she had previously received from the board.
Several speakers, including Doug McGurn, urged greater transparency around the search and alleged inconsistent communications among board leadership. At least one commenter requested that the board remove the superintendent search policy revision from an agenda until members could review it.
Board members and administration responded during the meeting by noting multiple executive sessions held on personnel matters and by reiterating that additional executive sessions were scheduled. The board did not take formal action on the superintendent search during the meeting; the public comments were recorded for the board's consideration at future meetings.
