Finding a superintendent is one of the top priorities for the members of the Clinton City Schools Board of Education. In an effort to find and hire someone who best fits the students and staff in CCS, the board is seeking the public’s input during the search.
With assistance from the North Carolina School Board Association, the CCS board is facilitating a search for the next superintendent. Current superintendent Dr. Stuart Blount announced his plans for retirement in February, and the board hired interim Dr. Stewart Hobbs Jr. during a special-called meeting earlier this week.
Hiring a superintendent based on the community’s input is highly important for members of the board.
“We want to get everyone involved in the selection process,” Carol Worley, board chairwoman, said about the staff and community input for the system’s new superintendent. “It’s an exciting time when you are going through a change in leadership and looking forward to where the school system is going to go.”
The board is seeking direct input from interested members of the staff and community to help shape the search process and assist in defining the qualities and characteristics of the next leader for the school system.
Surveys have been developed and made available for members of the community and the school system’s staff to complete, providing board members with a better understanding of what qualities and characteristics are important for the next superintendent to possess.
“The board invites parents and community members to participate in a short community survey that can be accessed and completed online via links on the CCS webpage,” a press release from the NCSBA states. “Paper copies of the survey also may be found in the main office at all schools.”
Completed paper surveys should be delivered to the central office or mailed to Nacole Hayes, 300 Westover Road, Clinton.
All surveys must be completed by Monday, April 30, with results to be compiled, summarized, and presented by NCSBA at the regular board meeting on Monday, May 7.
In addition to the community surveys, the board is asking all employees of Clinton City Schools to take the opportunity to complete a separate survey online. Details about completing the employee survey will be provided through staff email.
Members of the community will also have the opportunity to speak publicly during upcoming board meetings.
”Citizens may also sign up to address the board during the public comment period at any of the upcoming regular board meetings,” the press release reads. “All meetings will be held in the media center at Sampson Middle School, located at 1201 West Elizabeth Street. Citizens must sign up to speak before the meeting begins and must otherwise comply with board policies and guidelines.”
According to the release, groups or organizations that would like to submit statements regarding the leadership qualities that they consider important in the next superintendent may submit such statements to Allison Schafer via mail at NCSBA, P.O. Box 97877, Raleigh, NC 27624, via email at [email protected], or via fax at 919-841-4020. These statements should be received no later than Monday, April 30.
Application deadline is May 14, and those applications will be made available to the board May 25. Between then and June 4, the board will review those applications and meet June 4 to choose candidates to be interviewed in the first round.
During the period between the initial and final interviews, NCSBA will conduct complete and thorough reference checks and request the criminal and credit background checks of the finalists.
Finalists will be chosen between June 18-24 and final interviews will be conducted between July 16-22. Contract discussions will take place between July 23-27. A final announcement is planned for July 27, with employment to begin Aug. 27.
“We are looking to get the superintendent in place by the start of the next school year,” Worley noted. “Through the surveys for the community and the staff, we hope to get a better feel of what people want in a superintendent.”