TEL: (708) 383-0700 WEB: www.oprfhs.org. TTY/TDD: (708) 524-5500 FAX (708) 434-3910 Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 201 North Scoville Avenue • Oak Park, IL 60302-2296 TO: Board of Education FROM: Jeff Weissglass, Board Chair DATE: May 26, 2016 RE: Superintendent Search Firms Background Following Steve Isoye’s announcement last week that he would be leaving the district at the end of June, I began to think it would be in the district’s best interest to consider hiring an interim superintendent as soon as possible and to conduct a full and careful search for a permanent superintendent in the fall. I then learned that it was possible that if we hired a search firm now for the permanent search, that they might be willing to help with the interim search at little or no additional cost. I therefore decided to move quickly to begin the process of hiring a search firm. Summary of Findings: I heard from several people that three search firms conduct most of the superintendent searches in our area. I then checked with board members of District 97 and learned that before their search for a superintendent last year they sent out a request for qualifications through which they ended up inviting those same three firms for interviews. Given the consistency between the informal information I received and the outcome of the District 97 RFQ process, I asked the administration on Monday of this week to contact the three firms and invite them to present to the board at the Thursday board meeting. I only intended to have the presentations at this meeting if all firms that were interested in presenting were able to be there. Two of the three firms expressed interest in presenting and were available. The third firm declined to make a presentation at this time for internal reasons unrelated to the short time frame for the presentation. In addition, we have heard from IASB and one other private firm that they would be interested in submitting a proposal to serve as our search firm. I decided to begin with the firms that had already been identified and ask during our deliberations after hearing those presentations whether the board would like to expand the search for a search firm. We have also learned that IASB provides member districts with a database of potential interims at no charge, which could help us to try to fill the interim position ourselves, without the use of a search firm. After hearing the presentations the board could therefore decide to defer hiring a firm for the permanent search and focus solely on the interim now. Next Steps Two firms will be presenting to the board at the board meeting. (We determined the order in which they will present by a random drawing.) Each presentation will be approximately 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of answering board member questions. To keep to the time schedule, I ask that each board member stay to one or two questions. At the end of the presentations, we will then deliberate and decide
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Oak Park and River Forest High School -2296...Oak Park and River Forest High School District #200 201 N. Scoville Avenue Oak Park, IL 60302 Dear Dr. Isoye and Members of the Board
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Education Doctor of Education, 2000, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Master of Arts, 1995, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL Bachelor of Arts, 1991, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL
Professional Experience July 2004-Present Superintendent of Schools, Hazel Crest School District 152½, Hazel Crest, IL January 2002-2004 Superintendent of Schools, Fairmont School District 89, Lockport, IL 2000-2002 Principal, Valley View Elementary School, Romeoville, IL 1997-2000 Principal, Culbertson Elementary School, Joliet, IL 1996-1997 Head Teacher, Sojourner Truth School, Chicago, IL 1991-1996 Teacher/Special Education Case Manager, Laura Ward School, Chicago, IL
Professional Affiliations American Association of School Administrators, Governing Board Illinois Association of School Administrators, Board of Directors At-Large Minority Representative
South Cook Association of School Administrators, Board of Director Illinois Association of School Business Officials, Member National Alliance of Black School Educators, Life Member Superintendents Commission, Secretary Pi Lambda Theta International Honor and Professional Association in Education, Member Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Member Illinois Association of Supervision and Curriculum Develop, Member Superintendents Commission for the Study of Demographics & Diversity, Past-President Suburban Superintendent Association, President Superintendents Institute of America, Member South Cooperative Organization for Public Education, Executive Board Exceptional Children Have Options, Executive Board
Publications and Presentation Harrison-Williams, Sheila (2000). “Achieving the Superintendency: Barriers, Strategies, & Maintenance Behaviors” Published Dissertation, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL National Alliance of Black School Educators Conference Presenter, “Achieving the Superintendency: Barriers, Strategies, & Maintenance Behaviors”, 2004-2007 National Alliance of Black School Educators Pre-Conference Activity, “Aspiring Superintendents” Academy Coordinator, 2008-2011 National Alliance of Black School Educators “Aspiring Superintendents” Summer Institute Director, 2011 Evans Newton Incorporated Leadership Symposium Presenter, “Hazel Crest School District: Target Teach and Academic Success”, 2007, 2009 No Child Left Behind State Conference Presenter, “Single-Gender Education: How Boys and Girls Learn Differently”, 2006 Superintendents Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity Annual Conference, “Transforming the Paradigm of Educating Children” Host, 2005-2011 Superintendents Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity Annual Conference, “Transforming the Paradigm of Educating Children” Presenter, “Achieving the Superintendency”, 2010
Honors and Awards National Alliance of Black School Educators, 2009 Phenomenal Women Award.
The Top Ladies of Distinction/Lincoln Park Chapter, 2010 Crown Jewel Award Celebrating Women in School Administration. Illinois Chapter/National School Public Relations Association, 2010 Distinguished Service Award of Excellence. Illinois Chapter/National School Public Relations Association, 2010 Public Relations Ambassador of the Year Award.
Extraordinary Service and Dedication to Education Award, City of Markham, IL, June 2011. National Alliance of Black School Educators, 2011 Superintendent of the Year Award. American Association of School Administrators, 2012 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award.
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ANNE NOLAND, ED. D. 44 Ridgefield Ln. Cell: (630) 624-3336
Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (IASCD)
President, Program Coordinator, State Standards Committee, Leader Mentor Program,
Governance Chair
National Organizations for Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies
National Alliance of Black School Educators
National Middle Schools Association – Diversity Committee
Phi Delta Kappa
Evanston District 65 Teacher-Administrator Negotiations Team
Evanston Township High School – Curriculum Forum
National Committee – Minority Student Achievement Network
City/School Liaison (Evanston)
Evanston United Way Board
Foster Reading Center Board of Directors
Evanston Arts Council
National Louis University – ISBE – NCATE Review Committee
Golden Apple Awards Nominations Review Committee
North Cook Intermediate Service Center Governing Board (Chair)
Evanston Housing Options Board of Directors (Vice President, President)
Rotary International – Glenview Sunrise Club (Activities Chair)
Evanston Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Vice President- Grad. Advisor)
I have served in leadership capacities in numerous professional and community organizations, presented workshops and made program presentations at most of the organizations listed.
Awards and Publications
Accepting the Disabled” – Rehab Institute of Chicago (1989)
“Breaking the Mold” – Illinois State Board of Education (1999)
“Stone of Help” – Ebenezer Church (1999)
NAACP Community Service Award (1999)
International Who’s Who of Professional and Business Women (1999)
Distinctive Ladies Community Leadership Award (1999)
District 65 School Board Award of Appreciation (1999)
Sterling’s Who’s Who in American Education (2000)
“Teacher Tips”, National Louis University Newsletter (2000)
National Staff Development Conference (2000)
King Elementary School – Parent Involvement (2000)
May 25, 2016 Mr. Jeff Weissglass and the Board of Education Oak Park and River Forest School District #200 201 North Scoville Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 Dear Mr. Weissglass and Members of the Board of Education:
Thank you for the opportunity to present an overview of SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT and the services we can provide for your superintendent search. Our firm prides itself on providing a quality search process that will result in an effective leader for Oak Park and River Forest School District.
SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT, founded in 2004, is in its twelfth year. Our diverse firm is comprised of more than 60 men and women who have been leaders in quality school districts throughout the country. We have an unusually high degree of success, which we attribute to the quality of our associates, the excellence of our protocols and our ability to find the best educational leaders who match the needs of our clients. In addition, we have finished every search on time and on budget.
We define our success by the longevity of the leaders we place, our repeat services to client districts, and the positive and long-lasting relationships we establish with the boards with whom we work. We will understand your strengths and needs through conversations, focus groups and surveys with the members of the Board and your entire constituency. Our recruitment and interview process aligned to this understanding will result in well-vetted, quality candidates from which to make your selection of a new superintendent. Thank you for considering our proposal for your superintendent search. We would enjoy working with you to achieve the mutual goal of finding great leadership for the students in the Oak Park and River Forest School District. Sincerely,
Kenneth Dragseth Kenneth Dragseth, President SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT
I. INTRODUCTION TO SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT
Hiring the best superintendent to lead Oak Park and River Forest School District #200 is one of the most important tasks you will undertake as a School Board. SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT has a superior record in supporting boards in superintendent searches from the initial planning meeting to a comprehensive community engagement strategy to presenting excellent candidates for you to select your next superintendent. Our search process will be personalized for your District.
Why is SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT so successful? We are one of the leading private search firms because we give school districts the personalized and individualized services each search deserves. Our firm is diverse, comprised of consultants who are knowledgeable and understand the mission of your District is student learning. We are large enough to have an exceptionally strong network, but are small enough to give your District the focus and attention your search needs. If our firm is selected, the following consultants will assist you with your search:
Dr. Kathryn Robbins, Partner, SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT will serve as the Lead consultant and District Liaison if the firm is selected to assist in the search. She was superintendent of Leyden High School District 212 in the West Cook County (IL) region for 14 years, until her retirement in 2013. She was president of the Illinois Association of School Administrators in 2012-2013 and continues to connect with colleagues, peers and superintendent candidates throughout the state. She is a member of the State Charter School Commission, appointed by the Illinois State Board of Education. Over the past few years, she successfully completed superintendent searches in Barrington 200, Danville 118, Community High School District 99 (Downers Grove), La Grange 102, Aptakisic-Tripp 102, Ridgewood 234 (Norridge) and River Grove 85.5.
Contact Information: Dr. Kathryn Robbins, Downers Grove, IL 630-470-5070, [email protected]
Dr. Kevin O’Mara, Senior Associate, SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT, serves as Superintendent of Argo Community High School District in Summit IL. Prior to this he served as Principal of the Ridgewood High School in Cook County District 234 after having been an Assistant Principal and a Dean of Students. He is known as having demonstrated success in raising achievement levels for students to the highest potential. He is also an adjunct professor at Concordia University/Dominican University, He has been on several Illinois State Taskforces and is a United States Department of State Fulbright Foundation Awardee.
Contact Information: Dr. Kevin O’Mara, Oak Park, IL
Dr. John Sawyer III, Senior Associate, SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT is the retired superintendent, of Sandridge School District 172 (IL). John Sawyer’s extensive past experiences have included superintendent positions in Houston, TX, North Chicago, IL and West Harvey-Dixmoor District 147, IL. In addition to his superintendent roles and positions in the business world, John has held educational positions with the City Colleges of Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools and the University of Chicago. He was a member of the U.S. Postmaster General’s Stamp Advisory Committee, the Texas Governor’s Professional Practices Commission and the Advisory Panel to the Illinois General Assembly’s School Finance Committee.
Contact Information: Dr. John Sawyer III, Chicago, IL 312-218-1751, [email protected]
II. RECENT ILLINOIS REFERENCES
Barrington CUSD Lake Zurich CUSD 95 Search Year: 2013-14 Search Year: 2014-15 9,000 Students 5,668 Students Brian Battle, Board President Doug Goldberg, Board President 847-217-9702 224-625-4725 [email protected][email protected] Community High School District 99 River Forest District 90 Search Year: 2015-16 Search Year: 2007-08 & 2011-12 5,055 Students 1,371 Students Nancy Kupka, Board President Ms. Juli Geldner, Board member 630-663-9227 312-401-5225 [email protected] Lake Forest Districts 67 & 115 (shared Superintendent) Search Year: 2011-13 3,670 Students Julia Wold, District 67, Board Chair 847-209-0605 Sharon Golan, District 115, Board Chair 847-234-1414
1. In the event that the first slate of candidates does not include a superintendent the Board wishes to hire, the Consultants will continue to bring candidates forward for actual expenses only until the Board has found a superintendent to whom they wish to offer a contract. No additional consulting fees will be charged.
2. If the superintendent resigns or is dismissed for any reason within twelve months of the starting date, the Consultants will conduct a new search for no additional Consulting Fee. The Board will pay only the actual expenses of the search.
3. The Consultants guarantee that SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT will not recruit your new superintendent for his/her first two contracts.
IV. THE SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT NETWORK
SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT consultants hold or have held leadership and teaching positions in state/national organizations and prestigious institutions. Our national network enables us to recruit qualified candidates throughout the country. The members of our firm work closely together, assuring every search has the outreach necessary to achieve the right match for each district we serve.
Consultant Leadership Positions
Air Force Academy (Admission Selection Committee)
Alliance for Early Childhood Education
American Association of School Administrators (2 past presidents)
ASPEX Solutions (Senior Associate)
Association of State Executives (President)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Baldrige Award (Examiners)
Carnegie Foundation Consultant
Committee for Educational Rights (Chair)
Ed-Red Suburban Schools Legislative Consortium
Educational Advisory for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider
FED ED (Co-Executive Directors)
Great Books Foundation
Illinois Association of School Administrators (Two Past Presidents)
Illinois Governor’s Charter School Commission
Illinois Principals’ Association
Mid America Association of School Superintendents (MAASS)
Mid-West Suburban Superintendents Association
Minnesota Association of School Administrators (Executive Director and past presidents)
Minority Student Achievement Network
Mid-west Association of School Superintendents (past presidents)
Midwest Principal Center
Midwest Suburban Superintendents
National Association of Federally Impacted Students
National School Board Association
National Superintendents’ Roundtable
Ohio Schools Council (Executive Director)
Oxford University Roundtable on Educational Leadership, England
Southeastern Wisconsin Schools Alliance (Founder and Executive Director)
Suburban School Superintendents (Triple S)
Sweden’s Education Quality Institute
U.S. Department of Education
Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (Executive Director and Chair)
V. SUMMARY OF OUR SEARCH SERVICES SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT search protocols include:
Mutually planning and tailoring your process and timelines with the Board
Working closely with your District staff members who assist the Board
Preparing and providing written materials needed for the search process
Conducting focus groups with the Board, staff and community
Creating a community-wide on-line survey
Reporting and interpreting the survey and focus group results to the Board
Assisting the Board in establishing criteria for the New Superintendent Profile
Presenting a slate of qualified and well-vetted candidates to the Board
Preparing the Board for interviews
Preparing the Committees for interviews
Recommending an in-depth vetting process for the final candidate
Assisting the Board with contract issues such as compensation recommendations
Assisting the Board in any way necessary for a successful result
Communicating diligently with the Board and staff throughout the search
Assisting with news releases announcing the new superintendent
VI. DETAILS OF OUR SEARCH PROCESS
Phase A: Opening the Search (August-September)
The search process begins with the signing of the Letter of Agreement.
An initial planning meeting is held with the Board to establish the scope and timeline of services.
Phase B: Creating the New Superintendent Profile (September-October)
Board members are interviewed to understand the qualities, skills and experiences they seek in a new superintendent.
Focus groups are held with selected groups approved by the Board.
An on-line survey, tailored for your District, is designed to allow staff and community members to give input to the search process.
A New Superintendent Profile is developed using the information gained from Board interviews, focus groups, individual interviews and written feedback. The Board approves the New Superintendent Profile.
Phase C: Developing the Candidate Pool (September-October)
The search process and calendar are posted on your District’s website.
The vacancy is advertised nationally and statewide and posted on the SCHOOL EXEC
CONNECT website.
The Consultants accept applications and recruit candidates who match your District’s New Superintendent Profile.
The Consultants screen and interview selected candidates face-to-face using The New Superintendent Profile.
Internal candidates follow the same process as external candidates.
References and Internet checks are conducted on potential candidates.
Highly qualified candidates are presented to the Board. Phase D: Selecting the Candidates (November-December)
The Consultants hold a Board Interviewing Workshop prior to the first interviews.
The Board interviews the recommended slate of candidates and narrows the field to three semi-finalists.
Interview Committee(s) comprised of staff, parents and community members interview the semi-finalists in a structured process and each person gives individual feedback to the board.
The Board may choose to have the semi-final candidates give a short formal presentation.
The Board conducts a second set of interviews using feedback from the Interview Committees in a formal and informal setting.
The Board may choose to make reference calls or conduct a site visit to the final candidate’s home district.
The Board negotiates and takes action on the new superintendent’s contract.
The new superintendent assumes duties on July 1, 2017.
SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT PLAN OF WORK: SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
BOARD TASKS JOINT TASKS CONSULTANT TASKS
1. PLANNING MEETING
Timeline, Process, Advertising 2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT o Focus Groups o On-line Survey o New Superintendent Profile
3. BOARD APPROVAL
New Superintendent Profile
4. CANDIDATE SEARCH o Advertise Search
o Network and Recruit Candidates
o Screen Candidates
o Interview Selected Candidates
o Check References
o Identify and Present Best-
Matched Candidates 6. BOARD FIRST INTERVIEWS o Interview Five to Six Candidates o Select Three to Move Forward
8. BOARD SECOND INTERVIEWS o Candidate Presentation
o Committee Feedback
o Board Dinner/Final Interview
o Final Candidate Selected
5. BOARD WORKSHOP
Interview Strategies
9. FINAL DECISIONS o Background Check
o Board Reference Calls
o Contract Offer Agreement
11. CLOSE SEARCH o Inform All Candidates of the
Board’s Decision
o Assist Board In Any Way
10. NAMING THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT
o Board Action
o News Release
o Introduction to Community
12. NEW SUPERINTENDENT BEGINS DUTIES
7. FINAL PREPARATIONS o Prepare Committee(s) for
Interviews
o Salary Research
VII. COSTS OF THE SEARCH
Consulting Fee: The consulting fee for your search will be $19,500. This fee includes the provision of services for an interim superintendent. It is inclusive and no hourly fees will be charged in addition. The consulting fee may be reduced and negotiated if the level of search services is reduced.
Expenses: Regular expenses will not exceed $1,900. These include, but are not limited to copying, secretarial support, consultant travel expense, candidate travel expense, supplies and interview costs.
Advertising: Advertising costs are determined and paid by the District. Options include:
Print and online advertising in Education Week
Connections to the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and IASA websites
Posting on the SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT website
E-mail blasts to selected superintendents and contacts throughout the country
Other Expense Information:
SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT will invoice your District twice. First, after signing the Letter of Agreement and, second, upon the appointment of your new district administrator.
After the candidate pool has been presented to the Board, the District incurs the costs of the search.
VIII. OUR STRENGTHS
We know Illinois school districts. Our Illinois Team understands the increasing complexity of placing administrators in Illinois, especially when candidates come from out-of-state. With recent major changes in certification, pension and school funding, search consultants must be aware of the ever-changing landscape in Illinois education. Our advice on topics affecting your search will be current, reflecting best practices and the most up-to-date changes in Illinois school law.
Our record of success is extraordinary. Our firm has an outstanding record of success in the industry for the retention of executive educators whom we have placed. Additionally, we have a 100% record of completing searches on time and within budget.
We recruit candidates. We accept applications on our website. However, we go beyond accepting applications and recruit candidates whom we know to be a good match for your District. Five recent searches where our recruited candidates won the superintendent positions are Parkway School District (MO), Oak Park-River Forest High School District (IL), Birmingham School District (MI), Quincy Public Schools (IL), St. Cloud Area School District (MN), Rochester (MN), Glenbard High School District (IL) and West Aurora (IL).
We bring quality candidates. The most important aspect of a search is for the Board to have excellent candidates from which to make a selection of the new superintendent. We don’t settle until we have found outstanding candidates for your search.
We customize your search. We will work with you to assure that the search process fits your District and your needs. We are flexible when working with Boards and understand every district is unique.
We measure our success. Our success is measured both formally and informally. We stay connected with board members from past searches to gain their feedback. We track our placements based on longevity of contracts. At the end of each year, our consultants attend our annual conference to assess the past season, improve our protocols and receive updates and training for the new search year.
We engage your community. We will invite your entire community and staff to give us feedback through focus groups, a customized on-line survey, open forums and highly structured interview committees. Our success in this process is characterized by a seamless search that ends on time, on budget and with a great new leader
IX. HOW TO CONTACT US SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT is excited to assist you in your selection of a new superintendent. We would enjoy achieving our mutual goal of assuring quality education and leadership for your District. Please visit our website at www.schoolexecconnect.com to learn more about us. Kathryn Robbins, Partner, 630-470-5070 [email protected] Kevin O’Mara, Senior Associate 708-516-0793 [email protected] John Sawyer III, Senior Associate 314-707-3158 [email protected]