BOE President: We Will Seek Community Input for New Superintendent

To the SOMSD Community:

As you know, Dr. Osborne will serve as Superintendent through June 30, 2014. The Board of Education is in the process of identifying a search firm to assist in the search for a new Superintendent for the school district. The Board anticipates approving a search firm at the upcoming Board meeting on June 16, 2014. The target date for a new permanent Superintendent is no later than January 1, 2015.

To ensure a smooth transition and effective functioning of our schools during the search, the Board of Education intends to appoint Jim Memoli, currently the Assistant Superintendent for Administration, as the Acting Superintendent, starting July 1, 2014. Mr. Memoli has agreed to serve as Acting Superintendent until an Interim Superintendent is chosen to lead the District while the search is underway for the next Superintendent of Schools. A number of potential interims have been contacted to find out if they are available. A committee from the Board will have an opportunity to interview those that are available and to determine if one is an appropriate choice to serve the District until a permanent Superintendent is found.

The Board realizes that the Superintendent plays a pivotal role in the life of both the district and of the larger community. The Board therefore plans to charge the approved search firm with seeking input on its behalf from staff, parents, students, and the general community on the highest priority qualifications of a Superintendent for our district. We anticipate that the search firm will hold forums in the next few weeks, immediately after their appointment, since many staff and community members may not be accessible during the summer. These dates will be shared with stakeholders as soon as they are scheduled. We will seek additional feedback following these initial forums through electronic surveys and possibly through additional forums.

We look forward to your input as we identify priorities for qualifications for the next leader of our district. 

Elizabeth T. Daugherty
President
Board of Education of South Orange Maplewood School District