Rochester School Board lays out criteria for district's next superintendent
The search for an interim superintendent for Rochester Public Schools is coming into clearer view, with the School Board planning to include the public in the process before the end of the week — with hopes of hiring the district’s leader for the 2021-22 school year by the end of May.
Tuesday’s study session set the parameters for the district’s hiring process, including the preferred qualities of the successor to Superintendent Michael Muñoz, whose resignation is effective June 30.
On an internal questionnaire in the meeting’s agenda packet, board members indicated they want the new superintendent to possess two key attributes above all else: “proven experience in diversity, equity and inclusion” and “able to create an environment for staff, students, and community that supports and unifies the school district.”
Barb Dorn, director of leadership development for the Minnesota School Boards Association, said the RPS School Board identified seven important criteria in all, with a “high level of consensus” around the type of person the next RPS superintendent would be. (The district is paying the MSBA roughly $8,500 to conduct the search process for an interim leader.)
“It’s particularly interesting that the majority of responses that rose to the top are associated with soft skills,” said Dorn, who led the study session. “It’s about leadership, equity, unity, collaboration, listening… those are the key characteristics for this one-year appointment, and there was consistency among board members.”
Applications for the position will close April 26, with up to four finalists chosen by May 7. After interviewing the finalists in a live-streamed public meeting, the board will choose which finalist to move forward by May 13 with hopes of finalizing the new superintendent’s contract on May 18.
The public’s first chance to weigh in on the process will come this Friday, when the district plans to release an “stakeholder survey,” asking respondents to list their preferred personal characteristics and areas of expertise for the next superintendent. The survey will close April 12.
This process is separate from the district’s long-term search for a superintendent, which has not yet started. Board members had previously agreed to pursue an interim superintendent for 2021-22, buying the district more time to find a long-term replacement.
On Tuesday, board members noted that the interim superintendent would be allowed to apply for the permanent position.
“We’re not in a spot to limit our options,” said School Board Director Karen MacLaughlin, with other members noting that the interim superintendent would have to be on a “level playing field” with all other applicants.
The interim superintendent’s contract is expected to start July 1.
Isaac Jahns is a Rochester native and a 2019 graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism. He reports on politics, business and music for Med City Beat.
