Superintendent search moves ahead on tight schedule

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

A series of community forums in late January collected ideas from residents of Poudre School District about the qualities they want in a new superintendent.

The school board is seeking a replacement for Don Unger, who was forced to resign in September after having the superintendent's job for 10 years. The board has remained vague about its reasons for seeking Unger's resignation other than citing "philosophical differences."

At one forum, Reggie Kemp, a member of the Wellington Town Board, said he is disappointed that the school board itself is so focused on Fort Collins. "Anyone coming into the district will need to know the district is much more than a metropolitan area," he said. "There is much discontent that the district has ignored those areas (outside Fort Collins)."

Here are some of the personal qualities wanted in the new superintendent that were gleaned from two forums.

• Someone with the attributes of honesty, forthrightness and a good sense of humor.
• A person who listens to the community but balances myriad requests with the needs of all students.
• A mature person who doesn't feel threatened by open communication.
• A person who puts students' needs above image and pride in accomplishments.
• Someone who can work effectively with the state legislature.
• Someone who values students who are not college bound.
• A leader who would commit himself or herself to the community and not see PSD as a professional steppingstone.
• Someone who is knowledgeable about the issues of minorities and students with special needs.
• A person who can balance decisiveness with consensus building.

"You've got a very desirable place to live, good building blocks and a community that's demonstrated support in past years," said forum moderator Bob Cito, who works with the Colorado Association of School Boards.

CASB is heading up the superintendent's search on behalf of the district. Cito said he anticipates getting 30 or more applications.

The school board hopes to have a new superintendent hired by May 3. Gary Bamford is serving as interim superintendent in the meantime.

The following timeline has been set for the search process:

• Feb. 4 through March 12, position vacancy will be advertised.
• March 18, position closing date.

• March 22 and 23, search committee will screen applicants.
• March 29, board of education will select finalists from applicant pool.
• April 12 through 14, finalist interviews, including community forums, interviews by PSD employee representatives and interviews by school board.
• May 3, board of education decision and announcement.

Although a brochure about the job opening is already developed, PSD residents are still welcome to send in comments. Those views could still be used during screening and interviews, Cito said.

Here are the questions asked at the forums. Answers may be e-mailed to szamudio@casb.org or faxed to 303-832-1086.

• Describe your community. What would you tell someone who was considering moving here?
• What are the strengths of Poudre School District?
• What are the areas for improvement or challenges of the school district that the new superintendent will face?
• What specific qualities, experience or expertise should the new superintendent possess?