Search firm presents stakeholder survey; board directs firm to proceed after executive session

Christy Wilson of McPherson & Jacobson presented findings from district interviews and an online survey conducted Jan. 27–Feb. 9 to inform the Liberty Elementary School District superintendent search. Wilson said she and colleagues interviewed staff, district office personnel, teachers, and administrators and received about 229 online responses; roughly 65% of respondents identified as parents and 35% as staff. Themes from interviews and the survey included pride in the district’s family feel, a desire for a visible, relationship-oriented leader, and a clear emphasis on candidates with financial experience and proven educational leadership.

Wilson summarized three main stakeholder questions she had asked in focus groups: what’s best about the district (answers: family-oriented culture, signature programs, engaged staff), what qualities are needed in the next superintendent (answers: relationship-building, visible leadership, systems thinking, financial acumen), and what challenges the next superintendent will face (answers: staff retention, communication/trust deficits, and fiscal stability). She cautioned that while the responses show common themes, the online sample was 229 respondents and does not represent a statistically complete census of the district’s ~4,000 students or broader community.

Following the presentation, pursuant to state statute cited on the record, the board convened an executive session to screen applicants and then reconvened and unanimously directed McPherson & Jacobson to proceed with the search process as instructed in executive session.