School board seeking public’s input in superintendent search

Richmond Public School parents and supporters: What would you like to see in our new superintendent?

September 12, 2013; 6:14 AM • by Valerie Catrow

With the departure of former superintendent Yvonne Brandon in June, the Richmond City School Board is now tasked with finding a new individual to lead the struggling school system.

According to a press release sent out by the School Board on Tuesday, part of that process will include input from Richmond residents on “…the characteristics they believe are critical in the next Richmond Public Schools superintendent.” The School Board will then use that input to recruit and screen potential candidates.

As Jeff Bourne, Chair of the Richmond City School Board, explains, “This Board is committed to a transparent process in the selection of one of the City’s most critical positions. We want to gather extensive community input in this search and ask that all of our stakeholders–parents, teachers, students and community partners–take advantage of the many opportunities for community engagement to make their opinions and expectations known […] Richmond Public Schools is on the cusp of a transformation perhaps never before witnessed in its history. Community participation in the selection process of our next superintendent is a must if we are to realize a world-class education for the youth of this City.”

Residents can offer their thoughts either online or in-person. Proactive Search Inc., the national search firm commissioned by the School Board to help guide the search process, developed survey that can be accessed online. The deadline to complete the survey is Sunday, September 22nd.

Proactive Search will also host four community input sessions on Monday, September 16th (at George Wythe High School and Thomas Jefferson High School) and Tuesday, September 17th (at Armstrong High School and Huguenot High School). All sessions will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.