City residents asked for input on school superintendent search

LACONIA — During the Laconia School District's superintendent search, the committee wants to hear from the public about which qualities they want from the ideal candidate.

The six-question survey is open through Wednesday, Nov. 19, and asks community members how the superintendent can meet needs of students, staff and the school community.

This includes questions on the district’s strengths and challenges, choosing five roles or behaviors important for the new superintendent to possess, previous experience, and any other qualities the public would like the committee to consider.

Michele Munson, a spokesperson for the Bryan Group, said her firm was hired by the New Hampshire School Boards Association, and meetings were held over the summer, before putting together the search committee.

The 14-member committee consists of three school board members, parents and members of the public, and has been meeting on Thursdays since Sept. 11, to gather information and paint a picture of who they want leading the district.

“We have had five, two-hour meetings, and now we want to make sure that the priorities of the community are met,” Munson sad. “We are looking for feedback of what is most important to the public.”

The Bryan Group has been working with the committee to narrow down what they want. Beck-Brown said they have discussed specific criteria.

“My standpoint might be different than other people in the community, and this is why we all got together to figure out what we should be looking for,” Beck-Brown said.

Committee members have all agreed the ideal candidate should display strong community values. Beck-Brown said Laconia is a close-knit community which values community involvement with students and parents, and they want someone who will be visible.

Knowledge about budgets and curriculum is necessary, but they also want someone who will have a presence in the school and at community events.

“We want someone who is approachable,” Beck-Brown said.

Communication is also a focal point. Beck-Brown said they want a leader who is open and transparent.

Most committee members have students in city schools, or are longtime residents of the city, so most of their views have been aligned.

Since not everyone in the community is available to attend their meetings, the survey is a chance to gather as much feedback as possible.

Beck-Brown said so far, they haven't heard from anyone intending to apply. Amy Hinds, interim superintendent, has been leading the district this school year, but said she has no intention of throwing her hat in the ring for the full-time job.

“Filling in is one thing, but doing it full-time for years ahead is not on my horizon,” Hinds said.

Beck-Brown said Hinds will return to her former role of assistant superintendent once a permanent superintendent is chosen.

Munson said the specific interview process is based on behavioral analysis and leadership. The Bryan Group has devised questions based on what members of the search committee said they want in a candidate, through what she described as “guided storytelling.”

“We are looking for specific qualities, which are alluded to in the survey,” Munson said. “We will look at all of this, evaluate, and select the candidate that seems to fit the criteria best.”

The application, which is currently in draft form, will be posted on a national database called School Spring, and the Bryan Group will use their own additional tools to get the word out to school districts across New England and beyond.

“We want this all to be as open and transparent as possible,” Munson said. “I have been involved in more than 20 searches in New Hampshire, and we have a good history. Most of the people are still in their jobs.”

The goal is to have a job posting out before Thanksgiving, so anyone in the market for a job change can talk about it with their families over the holiday.

Munson said applications will be due by Friday, Jan. 9, and the committee will reconvene on Thursday, Jan. 22, to review applicants. She hopes to have three finalists for a full interview process, and come in person for a “meet and greet.”

The committee will then make a recommendation to the school board, who will make the final decision. Beck-Brown said she hopes to choose a candidate before March.

“It is a July 1st start date, so we want to be able to have time to show them around, and show them what Laconia is, and get their feet wet before we kick off the school year,” Beck-Brown said.

To take the survey, visit sau30.org.