Consultant outlines superintendent search timeline, recommends outreach and candidate‑input forums

Ray and Associates consultant Steve Chestnut told the Littleton Elementary School District Governing Board that the district is “really early in the superintendent search” and laid out a five‑stage plan to recruit and vet candidates for the district’s next superintendent. Chestnut recommended broad outreach, targeted advertising and multiple stakeholder input opportunities before finalists are brought to the board.

Chestnut said the firm recommends starting community and staff stakeholder forums tentatively on Oct. 28–29 and launching an online “31‑qualities” survey on Oct. 14 to help craft the ideal candidate profile. “We want to hear from the community, from parents, from teachers, from classified staff, from administrators,” Chestnut said, describing the survey as a tool that will be cross‑tabulated by respondent group for board review.

Why it matters: The board is planning to appoint an interim superintendent in October and hire a permanent successor for a July 1, 2025 start. Chestnut’s timeline aims to move the process from community input to finalist interviews and contract negotiations within about four months, with finalists recommended to visit during the week of Feb. 3.

Key details in Chestnut’s recommendations include two rounds of interviews (a virtual first round to reduce travel costs and an in‑person finalist round), a suggested application deadline extension from Dec. 22 to Jan. 5 to give candidates time over winter break, and optional reimbursed travel for finalists. He also recommended targeted national advertising — including an AASA job‑flash package — and outreach to associations that serve Black and Latino administrators.

Board members asked about logistics for stakeholder meetings, translation needs and timing for staff involvement. One board member urged evening sessions so staff can attend after work; Chestnut said forums can be scheduled flexibly and that student input is commonly included. Chestnut also said Ray and Associates will interview board members individually and compile a one‑page timeline for the board to track milestones.

Next steps: The firm will work with the district contact to finalize dates, post recruitment materials and open the application portal; the board will receive the compiled survey results and stakeholder feedback ahead of its Nov. 12 meeting to finalize the candidate profile.

Sources: Presentation and answers by Steve Chestnut of Ray and Associates to the Littleton Elementary School District Governing Board, Oct. meeting.