Superintendent Search Generates Community Response

“What qualities would you like to see in the next Superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools District?” Members of the Board of Education and consultants from PROACT Search, Inc. asked that question of parents, school staff and interested members of the community who provided direct input on what they wanted to see in the next leader for the district. “Community input is a very important process in the search. What is said in the public forums is used as part of the profile,” said Nancy Noeske, president of PROACT Search, Inc. More than 200 people showed up for the two public forums at Carr Lane VPA and Cleveland JROTC on November 3 and 4. That’s an improvement of nearly 80 percent.

Several teachers who attended the forums voiced their thoughts on what they would like to see in the next leader for the district. “I would like to see someone who visits schools,” one teacher from Carr Lane VPA stated. It is very important that the next superintendent walk the hallways and get involved with the classrooms. We need someone who loves kids and most importantly, loves our district.” That wasn’t the only comment from district teachers. “I would like to see someone committed to extra curricular activities,” another teacher stated. I volunteer my time on a weekly basis, and I think if the next superintendent is involved with after school programs, you will see a difference in children’s behavior.”

Nancy Noeske, director of PROACT Search, Inc, stated, “The next phase of the recruitment process is to finalize the profile before we start screening applications.”
The closing date for all application is November 26. “This is the requested date, but it is not a deadline,” Noeske stated.

In early January, Noeske will meet with the Board to discuss all candidates and conduct the first round of interviews. The second round of interviews is scheduled for February. The Board wants to make a final decision in February.