Shenendehowa outlines superintendent search process after 22 forums and 759 survey responses

Shenendehowa Central School District presented the next steps in its superintendent search on Nov. 18 after staff ran 22 community forums and an online survey to gather input.

Lauren, identified during the meeting as the BOCES superintendent assisting with the search, told the board the online survey had collected 759 responses as of the day before the meeting and will remain open through Nov. 21. The community forums and survey asked for priorities, strengths and characteristics board members should look for in a candidate; common themes were academic excellence, faculty quality, safety, building trust, facilities, mental health and belonging.

The district plans to open the formal application window on Dec. 1 and keep it open for about a month, accounting for holiday breaks. Board members will receive survey-theme summaries once the survey closes and will begin screening candidate applications in January. The timeline presented aims to conclude interviews and preliminary selections by March so there is time for contract negotiations before an announcement.

Board members discussed the screening and selection steps in public session, including a two-stage application process: an initial letter of interest and resume to be submitted to the district clerk, followed by screening questions for eligible candidates. The board emphasized transparency about deadlines and the public posting of the timetable. Lauren said staff would provide periodic updates on candidate numbers during the application window.

The meeting’s discussion stressed community involvement in the process and the district’s intent to use both in-person feedback and the larger online sample to shape candidate expectations. The board reiterated that this study session is not a forum for public comment; residents were reminded the next business meeting where public comment is accepted is scheduled for Dec. 16.