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Consultant presents survey, focus-group findings to Haysville school board to shape superintendent search
Summary
Consultant Dr. Miller told the Haysville board that survey respondents prioritized integrity, "kids first" and relationship-building; focus groups (80 participants) emphasized approachability, transparency and district-level experience. Board members discussed prioritizing stability and results-driven leadership.
Dr. Miller, the consultant leading Haysville USD's superintendent search, presented the district's community survey and focus-group results and asked the board to identify the most important leadership qualities to use in screening candidates.
The consultant said the survey showed a high proportion of employees among respondents and that respondents ranked ‘‘kid first’’ as a top priority. She summarized the single top separating characteristic: "honest, trustworthy, strong integrity," and listed relationship-building and kid-first values as follow-ups. "By far, honest, trustworthy, strong integrity was number 1," Dr. Miller said while reviewing the handout.
Why it matters: The board will use those ranked priorities to create a short list of the personal and leadership qualities it will share with applicants and to guide interview questions.
Dr. Miller also reported results from focus groups held earlier the same day, saying 80 people participated and that participants repeatedly named approachability, visibility, transparency, district-level experience and clear communication as important. She noted that her team and colleague Laurie Blake aggregated responses slightly differently, producing minor numeric differences but similar themes.
Board members responded with their own priorities. One member said the district needs "stability" after several challenging years and urged a leader who can "bring people together." Members also emphasized the value of a candidate who is results-driven and familiar with district finance and human-resources issues rather than simply having a prior superintendent title.
Dr. Miller said she will finalize a characteristics report after incorporating board input and will share it with applicants so they know what the board values. The board was asked to review the handout and return questions or edits before the Jan. 19 meeting, when the consultant will present vetted candidates.
The next procedural step is for each board member to select 15 to 18 interview questions from the provided list and submit their choices to Debbie for tabulation; Dr. Miller and legal counsel will vet novel questions.
