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Consultants report 429 stakeholder responses and set April‑to‑May timetable for Antioch Unified superintendent search
Summary
Search consultants McPherson & Jacobson told the board they received 429 stakeholder inputs, identified themes including a need to rebuild trust and improve special‑education services, and scheduled a closed‑session prescreen on April 8 with candidate interviews in May and a possible board contract action May 21.
McPherson & Jacobson, the district’s retained search firm, updated the Antioch Unified School District Board on the superintendent recruitment timeline and a stakeholder‑input report that drew 429 responses.
“As of right now, we have 16 applicants,” the lead consultant said, adding that applications typically increase before the closing date and that consultants expect a larger final pool. The consultants described a two‑step review process: an April 8 closed‑session meeting to prescreen and create a shortlist (prescreening interviews to narrow the field to roughly 10–12 candidates), followed by in‑person interviews in May and a board contract approval slated for the May regular meeting.
The stakeholder report summarized recurring themes from community, staff and student input. Consultants said the top issues the next superintendent should address are rebuilding trust and inclusion across a diverse community; raising academic rigor; improving staff accountability; and fixing special‑education communication and placement timelines. One summary line presented to the board said plainly: “Trust needs to be rebuilt.” Consultants recommended a visible, collaborative leader who understands special education and who will spend time in schools and community settings.
Consultants also flagged gaps in outreach to Spanish‑speaking families: while some sessions included Spanish interpretation, the consultants recommended additional targeted outreach (they offered to visit two schools identified by trustees to improve Spanish‑language participation) and suggested reopening the online survey if the board wished more input before finalizing interview stakeholders.
Why it matters: the search timetable and the themes from stakeholder engagement will shape candidate screening and interview questions, and the board will appoint an ad hoc stakeholder panel on April 16 to advise the interview process. The consultants stressed the public nature of panel appointments and the need to disclose names for transparency.
Next steps: the board confirmed April 8 (4 p.m., closed session) to review applications, April 16 to appoint the stakeholder interview panel and May 1–2 as tentative interview dates; the board’s target for contract approval and appointment is May 21.
