BOE Issues Statement on Interim Sup Search but Details are Few

The Board of Education's Chairperson Rosa Murray issued a statement today on the search for interim superintendent:

From: Rosa Murray, Chairperson

Norwalk Board of Education

Date: July 10, 2009

To allow for a seamless opening of school in the fall, sufficient time for a comprehensive Superintendent Search, and to meet legal requirements the Norwalk Board of Education will hire an interim superintendent. Referral sources include, but are not limited to the CT Association of Boards of Education and the CT Association of Public Schools Superintendents.

The Board is interested in former Superintendents with years of experience in the state of CT and in districts similar in size and diversity of Norwalk. Candidates with experience in curriculum development, budgeting, community relations, staff hiring, problem solving, building projects, working with city government/boards, press relations and Superintendent/BOE relations are sought as this experience is invaluable to Norwalk. To date, candidates have been identified and interviews scheduled.

Although the timeframe is undetermined, the Board will act under advisement of legal counsel to appoint an interim Superintendent by a mutually agreed upon date, at a negotiated per diem rate with no benefits.

While this statement is a good first step in apprising the public about the search for new interim superintendent it leaves several questions unanswered.

First, on the subject of communication and involvement: How will the BOE communicate with parents/Norwalkers as this process continues? Will the Board involve the parents and teachers in the search process? How?

Second, are the specifics: Which BOE members are in charge of the interview process? Who has the BOE interviewed for the interviewed for the interim position? How many more interviewees are lined up?

Finally, is the net being cast widely enough? The qualifications the BOE lays out--former superintendents from CT with populations similar to Norwalk-- limits the potential candidates to a very small pool. Are these criteria too limiting? Couldn't a senior administrator within the district fill-in?

I've e-mailed Ms. Murray these questions and look forward to her response.