Schools

Call for Volunteers for Superintendent Search Yields 74 Responses

Selectwoman Ellen Gibbs said the search committee is in the initial phase of the process.

The team charged with leading the initial phases of the search for Wellesley's next superintendent of schools will now have to sift through applications of people who want to be a part of the final process.

At a Tuesday night meeting, Selectwoman Ellen Gibbs said 74 applicants responded to a public call to action to be on the Advisory Search Committee for a new superintendent.

“I think the level of positive interest...is an auspicious part,” she said.

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The final Advisory Search Committee is expected to total 12 members including some from the public applicant pool, at least one teacher and administrator, Gibbs, Co-President of the  Patti Quigley, Wellesley Human Resources Board member Naomi Stonberg and School Committee members KC Kato and Ilissa Povich.

Gibbs also said the committee advising on the initial phases of the search - made up of Gibbs, Quigley, Stonberg, Povich, Kato and Deputy Director of General Government Christopher Ketchen - has reviewed bids from six firms interested in .

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The current search team will begin interviewing the firms this week, and a recommendation is expected Jan 10.

Once a consultant is chosen, the current team will begin to identify "selection criteria" for a new superintendent, and the final Advisory Search Committee members will be appointed, Gibbs said. These appointments are expected in February.

At a November meeting, Kato said the initial superintendent screening process and first round of interviews will be done by members of the Advisory Search Committee, but that the general public will have a chance to comment at community forums and through surveys. Also, the finalist interviews will be conducted in public.

The School Committee will have the final say on who is hired to take over for current Superintendent Bella T. Wong, who in November said she will be

Gibbs said there will be regular status updates on the search at the Wellesley Public Schools website.


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