North Marion SD 15 outlines hiring timeline for principal and business manager, proposes data-driven strategic plan

A district leader outlined a multi-step selection process for two spring hires — the high school principal and the business manager — emphasizing blind scoring of applicants, on-demand writing prompts, performance tasks, staff Q&A sessions (without administrators present), reference checks and site visits.

The timeline presented calls for posting the high school principal position at month'end, a three-week application window, screening interviews, and a target for an announcement by March 17 (dates listed as tentative). The presenter said the process aims to let full school staffs interact with final candidates without administrators in the room: "Let the staff have 30 or so minutes with that candidate, and then me come in afterwards, tell me what you think," the presenter said.

On the business manager role, the presenter said transition plans are not finalized but indicated outgoing staff might provide consulting help for audits if needed.

Separately, the board heard a short plan for a data-centered strategic plan that will draw on youth-truth survey results and academic achievement data. The presenter said the district will gather family, staff and student input, work with small teams to rework goals, and share a draft with the board on May 12 for potential adoption in June. The presenter added the district does not plan to hire an external consultant, citing internal capacity.

What happens next: posting and screening timelines are tentative; the board will be invited to attend listening sessions and staff Q&A events as they are scheduled.