MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE — The search for a new superintendent is on! The South Orange-Maplewood School District is currently in the fact-finding stage of the search and is calling on the local community to tell them what is wanted and needed
During the next two months, the school district will hold several forums — some open to the community at large and some for specific stakeholder groups — to gain a better understanding of what the local community is looking for in a new superintendent.
The focus-group sessions are being conducted by Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, the search firm hired by the district to assist in finding a new superintendent to fill Brian Osborne’s shoes. The district hopes to hire an acting superintendent during the coming school year, and a permanent superintendent before the 2015-2016 school year. Until an acting superintendent is hired, assistant superintendent James Memoli will serve as interim superintendent.
The school district is planning to hold two evening forums, open to anyone in the community, in the Columbia High School Library at 17 Parker Ave. in Maplewood. The first forum will be Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 7 to 8 p.m. and the second will be Thursday, Oct. 9, from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m.
On Sept. 9 in the CHS Library, before the open forum, the district plans to hold a forum from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for South Orange-Maplewood Education Association leadership and another, from 6 to 6:45 p.m., for local faith leaders.
While the forum for faith leaders was moved from its original Saturday morning scheduling, a time when Jewish faith leaders would have been unable to attend. Whether religious leaders should have a say about a new school superintendent is an issue that some residents have raised.
A statement released by the school district last week reads: “Leaders in the numerous houses of worship throughout Maplewood and South Orange often have trusting relationships and insight into the needs and concerns of their members — families with students in our school district. We would like their input on the strengths and challenges facing our school district and important characteristics for the next superintendent from the perspective of community members they represent. The board is not seeking input of a religious nature.”
The school district will also hold a full day of forums on Saturday, Sept. 13, in the District Meeting Room in the school district’s office at 525 Academy St. in Maplewood; the building is next door to the high school. The sessions will be held as follows: elementary school parents from 9 to 10 a.m.; secondary school parents from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.; high school parents from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; SOMA parents of students of African descent along with Community Coalition on Race representatives from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.; parents of students with special needs along with special needs advisers from 2 to 3 p.m.; and Achieve Foundation representatives from 3:15 to 4 p.m.
Two additional days of forums will also be held in October.
On Monday, Oct. 6, in the District Meeting Room, a session will be held for elementary school parents from 7 to 8:15 p.m. and for middle school parents from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m.
On Oct. 9 in the CHS Library, before the open forum, the district plans to hold a forum from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. for teachers and support staff and another forum from 7 to 8:15 p.m. for high school parents and students.
For residents planning to attend the forums, the district asks that they keep the following three questions in mind and be ready to give a thoughtful answer: What are the strengths of the South Orange-Maplewood School District? What are the challenges and issues that the district faces now and in the future? What characteristics are necessary for the next superintendent?
In order to foster a completely open atmosphere, BOE members and members of the administration will not be present at any of the forums.
The school district already held two focus groups with parents and guardians July 10, as well as other July focus groups with administrators.
The first group comprised the Presidents’ Council, which is made up of PTA and HSA presidents and the executive board of past presidents. According to Turner, approximately 15 to 18 members turned out for this focus group.
The second group was composed of members of the Special Education Parent Teacher Organization and the Special Education Parents Advisory Council, and all parents of students with special needs were invited to attend; according to Turner, more than 25 people attended this focus group.
According to a recent release, the district also intends to reach out to municipal officials in South Orange and Maplewood, as well as local real estate agents who may have insight into what prospective homeowners would want in a superintendent of schools.
“The Board of Education is committed to including feedback from all stakeholders as we search for a new superintendent,” BOE President Beth Daugherty said in July press release.
Additionally, all stakeholders are invited to share their thoughts concerning the superintendent search by completing a survey here.
“On behalf of the Board of Education, thank you for taking the time to respond,” Daugherty said in the July release regarding participation in the survey. “The board members, along with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, appreciate your willingness to participate and look forward to learning your perspective.”