Polson stakeholders meet in search for new superintendent
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POLSON — The search for a superintendent for School District 23 is under way. The school board contracted with McPherson and Jacobson, LLC., to handle the national search. Representing McPherson and Jacobson, Bill Dean, a retired district superintendent, and Barbara Dean, a retired first grade teacher, whirled into Polson April 24 and 25 to talk to stakeholders, including Polson High School students, classified and certified staff, parents, Native American parents, the public and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council.
They asked each group four questions: What are the good things about your community? What are the good things about Polson schools? What issues should the superintendent be aware of as he or she comes into the Polson School district? Given all the discussion, what skills, qualities or characteristics should the new superintendent possess to be successful?
“The sessions are an opportunity for us to gain insight and understanding of the community and the district, the issues that a new superintendent will face and the kind of person the district and community believe an be successful given the issues,” Bill said. “It doesn’t take a lot of time when the focus is limited to those topics. We also like to respect the time that people are willing to give to share their insights.”
The Deans presented an informal synopsis of the meetings to the school board at an evening meeting on April 25, with a written stakeholders’ document to be forwarded to the board in the next 10 days or two weeks. Then the stakeholders’ report will be online on the district’s website.
Board trustees worked with the Deans to generate interview questions at the meeting.
Outlining the next steps of the superintendent search, the Deans noted the deadline for candidates to apply for the superintendent position is May 16. Then they’ll return to Polson on May 31 to meet with the board to select a slate of candidates and interview times.
Interim superintendent Bill Appleton commented, “I believe the search process is progressing as planned. The representatives from the recruiting organization are extremely professional and comprehensive. They offered considerable guidance and suggestions, yet allowed board members the opportunity to include components they feel are unique to our situation.”
Interviews will take place during the week of June 4, and the Deans stressed that each candidate will have a day in the district and community, concluding their day with dinner and the formal interview with the board.
About 30 high school students attended the meeting during both lunch hours, Bill said, with a total of about 130 people coming to express their opinions.
Both Deans enjoyed meeting community members during the meetings and were impressed with their visit to Tribal Council.
