The OPSBrief

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This report is created by Ken Ducote and Rose Drill-Peterson on behalf of the Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools 

 

The Orleans Parish School Board held a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, October 17, 2013, at its Timbers III Office Building, 3520 General De Gaulle Drive.  
 
The purpose of the meeting was to plan the Superintendent Search with its consultants, Hazard, Young, Atea & Associates (HYA). The meeting was a working session, similar to a Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting, and the Board did not take any formal action during the meeting. 
 
HYA personnel making the firm's presentation were its lead consultant, William Attea, and two other consultants assigned to the OPSB search, Louise Coleman and Ben Martindale. A DBE partner will also participate after being chosen from among certified DBE firms in the area of community engagement.

 

The HYA team presented an outline of the process with items for discussion, a Superintendent Search Flow Chart, and examples of questionnaires, forms, letters, interview questions, and other materials that are typically used in such a search. Copies of the meeting agenda, process outline and flow chart can be read hereThe process to be used will accommodate Louisiana's laws regarding open meetings and public records.

 

Key points made during the meeting included the following:
  • HYA's role is to help OPSB find the best possible candidates
    • HYA does not make decisions - OPSB does
  • The public schools in New Orleans represent a uniquely complex system
    • In some ways it resembles a small school district
    • In some ways it resembles a large school district
    • It has a unique governance structure
  • The selection process will be tailored to local unique needs
  • Community engagement will be wide-spread, thorough but not overly long, and in different forms
    • Web-based questionnaires
    • Surveys and/or polls
    • Formal interviews
    • Meetings with targeted stakeholder groups
    • Open forums
  • Focus will be on district's needs over the next 3 to 5 to 7 years
  • Local challenges, issues and problems will be identified and the skill-sets to succeed therein will be defined
  • Characteristics desired/needed in a new superintendent will be identified 
  • Confidentially during the process typically leads to a better slate of candidates
  • Final candidate selection will include independent background review for academic credentials, criminal and legal background checks, driving record, credit history, etc.
  • Inside candidates will be treated as any other candidates during the process
Forthcoming milestones during the process include the following, with dates approximate and subject to change: 
  • Online survey via link on OPSB website (www.opsb.us) - October 21 to November 14
    • To express opinions on desired characteristics needed in new superintendent
  • Interviews, meetings, and forums with stakeholders - By November 14
  • HYA presents OPSB with Leadership Profile Report - November 19 
  • Slate of candidates presented to OPSB - By early February
  • Announcement of selection - Late February or early March 
  • New superintendent on board by July 1

 

***This email is created by Ken Ducote and Rose Drill-Peterson on behalf of the Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools and is not an official correspondence from the Orleans Parish School Board***
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