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Consultants outline superintendent search timeline and candidate criteria for Warren County Public Schools
Summary
Consultants from McPherson Jameson reviewed a draft position description, proposed stakeholder meetings the week of Aug. 18, an online survey and an application deadline of Sept. 4; the board later moved into a closed session to discuss prospective candidates under Virginia Code §2.2-3711.
Consultants from McPherson Jameson presented a draft position description and timeline to the Warren County School Board as part of the district's superintendent search, asking for the board's input on candidate criteria, stakeholder meetings and communications.
Dr. Ralph Curry, executive director, Eastern Region, opened the consultant presentation by describing the search process and the draft position description compiled from board-provided criteria. "You're seeking a highly qualified, experienced, visionary educational leader," Curry said, and he invited edits to reflect local priorities.
Board members corrected local naming conventions and data in the draft: they asked that the district be referred to as "Warren County Public Schools (WCPS)," confirmed the district has 11 schools (including the alternative-education program Diversified Minds) and reported an enrollment of 5,051 when pre-K students are included.
On qualifications, consultants recommended changing a strict doctorate requirement to "possession of a doctorate or equivalent preferred" to preserve flexibility while still signaling a high standard. Board members said they would consider outstanding candidates who were completing doctoral work.
Curry outlined the proposed timeline: stakeholder meetings the week of Aug. 18 (with both in-person and Zoom options), an online survey launched the same week (the board may leave it open up to two weeks), advertisement materials collated the week of Sept. 8, an application closing date of Thursday, Sept. 4, consultant-led preliminary interviews and vetting through September, and board review of finalists in early October with a likely candidate selection by late October. Curry said the consultants would perform reference checks, social-media checks and formal background checks before presenting candidates to the board.
Regarding logistics, consultants asked the board to name a district contact (often someone in the central office) to coordinate postings and stakeholder outreach. Consultants also noted that in-person stakeholder meetings are available at modest per-person travel costs (about $750), with Zoom options for residents who cannot attend in person.
Toward the end of the public session, the chair moved that the board enter a closed meeting "pursuant to Virginia Code section 2.2-3711" for discussion and interviews of prospective superintendent candidates. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call; the board certified after the closed session that only the exempt matters identified in the motion were discussed.
Next steps include the consultants' distributing a revised draft position description for board edits, posting the advertisement once approved by the board, and beginning the application and vetting process as outlined.
