Stakeholder report: budget constraints, transparency and declining enrollment top concerns for Chippewa Falls superintendent search

A stakeholder-summary presentation to the Chippewa Falls board reported input from about 170 respondents and identified areas the board said it should probe during superintendent interviews.

The presenter said academic excellence and fiscal management rated highly in stakeholder feedback but that respondents raised concerns about budget constraints, communication and facility needs. "A big one was this budget constraints and what's coming up down the road," the presenter said, summarizing the feedback.

The speaker outlined the interview process and timeline, asking the board to craft 9–10 interview questions (no more than two per hiring criterion). The job posting was described as imminent and the first round of interviews was expected in November with rotating teams (board, administrators, teachers, community). The presenter also flagged confidentiality concerns voiced to board members by potential applicants and asked the board to consider how to protect applicant privacy during the process.

Board members discussed logistics (touring finalists, number of questions, timing) and agreed to return prioritized interview questions within a week so the search firm can proceed. No formal action was taken beyond scheduling and direction to staff to post the position and continue recruitment.

Board members stressed maintaining confidentiality for applicants until finalists were announced; staff said they would look for a way to assure confidentiality in outreach and postings.