Wednesday, June 01, 2011

FCPS Invites 3 Finalists to Interview for Supt

Names to be released Wednesday Morning

This from Lisa Deffendall at FCPS:
Board of Education members voted unanimously May 31 to invite three applicants to interview to become the next superintendent of the Fayette County Public Schools.  Names of the finalists will be released Wednesday after they agree to interview for the position. 

Interviews will be next week, and the board could select a new schools chief as early as June 10.
The school board decision came after a roughly two-hour closed-door session, during which the six-member superintendent screening committee and a pair of professional search consultants presented their recommended candidates. 

The board reconvened in open session and directed Tom Jacobson, owner and CEO of search consulting firm McPherson & Jacobson, to call the three finalists and schedule interviews for June 7, 8 and 9.
“Once we confirm that the applicants have accepted the interview, their names will be made public,” Jacobson said. “We’re confident the community will be impressed with the quality of the candidates.” 

The board plans to meet at 7 a.m. June 10 to begin deliberations and possibly name a superintendent that day. 

The three finalists were selected from among 14 applicants representing 10 states, including Kentucky, and representing a diversity of gender, race and professional experience.  Based on input from the community and school board, applicants were evaluated in the areas of leadership and transparency, as well as their commitment to making students a top priority, focusing on student achievement, eliminating disparities, moving the district forward and maintaining fiscal stability. 

“We certainly appreciate all the input we’ve had from our stakeholders, the thorough review of the applications by the screening committee members, and the committee’s recommendations,” said Board of Education Chair John Price. “Based on that input, the board has selected to interview the candidates that we feel best meet the needs of our students.” 

Next week, each candidate will spend a full day in Lexington meeting with seven focus groups representing students, parents, community members and employees.  The day will also include a daily news conference and public forum where all local citizens are invited to meet the candidates and hear their answers to questions submitted by the community. After the forums, the board will conduct its formal interviews. 

The board hopes to have a new superintendent seated by July 1. Current Superintendent Stu Silberman is retiring after seven years with the district. He will become the next executive director of the Prichard Committee.

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