The West Aurora District 129 School Board recently interviewed four executive search firms as part of the process to find a replacement for Superintendent Jeff Craig has he approaches his final years in the district.
Craig’s contract will end June 30, 2024. Craig began as superintendent July 1, 2014.
“We still have lots to do and the expiration date is coming fast,” Craig told board members.
The board has made no decision on the selection of a search firm. Board members are interested in making sure there will be involvement from parents, staff, students and the community when it comes to picking a new superintendent.
The search for a new West Aurora leader comes at a good time for the district, Craig said in his remarks to the board.
“We have seen a good many of my colleagues not only in our area but in the entire region that have made transitions out of these positions for a variety of reasons. With that exodus, it puts a premium on finding quality candidates. The board has decided to move forward at this time to be able to begin the selection process this coming spring and summer,” Craig said.
More Top Picks Makita 18v Lxt Brushless Cordless 1 2 Driver Drill Xfd14z
Representatives from four executive search firms were invited to give presentations on why their company should be hired to guide District 129 through the process of hiring a new superintendent.
The search firms invited were Ray & Associates, Educational Leadership Solutions, Illinois Association of School Boards and Hazard Young Attea Associates.
Michael Collins, president of Ray & Associates, and Bridget Cheney of the firm gave a virtual presentation to board members.
West Aurora School Board member Melody Saperston was interested in how the firms would involve the community in choosing a new superintendent.
The engagement of community members and staff is one of the key components of the search process, Cheney said. Trained facilitators would hold group sessions to get input about the district’s strengths and challenges to develop a “district profile” of who they would like to see as the next leader.
“We ask questions that get to the heart of who you are, what you are looking for and anything that will give us insight to ensure we can get to the very best fit for your next superintendent. We recognize fit is key in order to have a long-term superintendent,” she said.
Collins said it’s important to have a team that considers the district’s cultural diversity.
In addition to group sessions, the firm would conduct an online survey in multiple languages to gather information.
“Your community speaks roughly 45 languages and you represent six continents. We have done this survey environment in 23 languages. We have been doing this multi-language process for over a decade,” Collins said.
Educational Leadership Solutions owner Gary Zabilka is a retired superintendent.
“We feel it is the data analysis that separates us from many of the other firms,” Zabilka said. “I am sure many people would say give us another Dr. Craig and we would be good for the next 10 years. At the same time we all know as living and growing organizations you are looking for that next person to take all of the quality work Dr. Craig has performed and bring West Aurora to that next step of leadership.”
The firm would meet with focus groups and have an online survey as well as develop questions as part of the candidate interview process, he said.
Zabilka said the firm has its own in-house data specialist to both generate and customize online survey questions that would reflect the district’s interests.
Consultant Alan Molby of Illinois Association of School Boards is also a retired school superintendent.
“This search is done not only to provide you with the next best leader for your district but also then continue on with the person’s success beyond their hiring. That’s the part as your association that sets us apart,” Molby said. “We have been involved in over 300 searches for superintendents.”
He said that a field service representative would hold a workshop with the school board and the newly selected superintendent to help guide the first year of the new leader’s tenure.
Both Educational Leadership Solutions and Illinois Association of School Boards referenced an “internal search” as part of the recruitment process.
“It’s a tribute to the opportunity for your district to grow strong leaders from within,” Molby said.
Representatives from Hazard Young Attea Associates Brian Harris and Jane Westerhold said their work would include a focus on candidate assessment.
Harris said the firm would “go through a comprehensive process to screen (candidates) and provide you with a profile of each candidate that you probably already know and things you may not know -that’s part of our job.”
“We also spend a significant amount of time in community engagement,” Harris said.
Board members would have their own confidential portals for the process, Westerhold said.
The West Aurora School Board has made no decision on the selection of an executive search firm, district officials said. The board as yet has also not decided on the type of search to be undertaken, West Aurora District 129 Director of Community Affairs Anna Gonzales said.
“The first step of the process is for the board to select a search firm,” she said. “Once they do, the board will work with the firm to refine the selection process. At this time, no determination has been made as to whether both an internal and national search will take place, nor have they determined the timing between the two searches.”
More Top Picks Best Diaper Pails For Odor Control
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.