Greetings!
Two important items comprise this update: the selection of the Head Search consultant and the establishment of a new section on the website for community input on the search process.
On behalf of the Search Committee, it is a pleasure to announce that yesterday we hired Clay Stites and the firm of Resource Group 175 to guide us through the search. Clay has been the Head of two highly respected independent elementary schools: the Curtis School in Los Angeles (1992-1997) and Friends Academy in Dartmouth, Massachusetts (1977-1992).
In a dozen years as a search consultant, Clay has conducted about 65 searches for Heads of School across the country. Approximately 50 of these have been for elementary schools, including several that are similar in size and mission to RGS. Recent searches include Brooklyn Friends School and the President of the National Association of Independent Schools. He holds a master's degree in fine arts from New York University and his undergraduate degree is from Haverford College.
The committee was impressed by Clay's integrity and his focus on small independent elementary schools and their unique cultures. He is eager to learn more about the Rio Grande School and Santa Fe. Clay will be on campus all day Monday and Tuesday to begin the process. We think you will find that he listens well and is very approachable.
Both Clay and the Head Search Committee are eager to learn your views about the qualities of leadership, including professional and personal attributes, the next Head of RGS will need in order to be successful. To that end, Jay has created a special section of the RGS website entitled "Head Search 2010," which will soon allow for the submission of confidential comments for Clay and the committee to review. The section also includes other information about the search and its progress.
Broad input from parents, faculty, students, staff, alumni and friends of RGS will help the committee and Clay to develop the Position Statement, a document that describes the opportunities and challenges facing RGS and the attributes we seek in the next Head. That document will then be shared with all of the potential candidates beginning in mid-December. |
