The following are the results of the parent focus group that assembled to compile their list of important attributes for superintendent. One thing that was made very clear in this forum was that the information being gathered in the community forums and within the focus groups will be used to create the job description for the application process. This is the only input the students, parents, and community will have in the process of selecting our next superintendent.
The parents focus group came up with a top ten list of attributes which actually included eleven attributes. They then added comments on five questions they were given to consider. Their list and a summation of their considerations are as follows:
1. Inclusive collaborator, consensus-relationship builder, with students, parents, educators, labor, and the broader community
2. Strongly committed to and passionate about a student first philosophy
3. Can address poverty at its core
4. Empowers the educators – teachers, administrators, supports flexible teaching methods as opposed to standardized methods
5. Values the teaching of Social Sciences, natural Sciences, Arts, Music, Performing Arts, Sports, and physical education as an integral part of learning
6. Excellent people and leadership skills, has shown ability to confront and solve problems and conflicts fairly with respect for all involved
7. Extensive teaching experience and knowledge of learning theories in research based education reform practices, master teacher
8. Local candidate, knows and understands the community
9. Has a long term commitment to the position
10. Can improve teacher, principal, staff evaluations including collaboration with teacher’s unions to bring parents and students into teacher evaluation process as well as utilization of alternative techniques for evaluations and feedback
11. Experienced leader of culture change, can develop a Central Office that is respected by teachers and school district, respected by the community
Find ways to increase the staffing in the schools, focus down on where the children are and provide more services to them. Increase parent engagement, a culture change, make schools a place where parents feel invited and welcomed. It’s important that the superintendent truly step up and acknowledge all the issues that are effecting the education process. Superintendent should be a city resident. Quality staffing in the school and throughout the whole organization . . . individuals who understand children and know how to teach plus they should love the kids. Improving student success, stabilize the direction of the district and be straightforward about decision making.
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