School Superintendent Search Enters Second Phase

Babylon Village residents want greater accountability, academic rigor around state standards, strong communication skills and strong educational leadership skills in the next school superintendent, according to a leadership profile report created by the search firm directing the hiring effort.

The report is based on feedback from an online survey which was open to residents for several weeks, two community forums and focus group events led by Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, a Rosemont, Illinois search firm. The report is available on the district's website by clicking here.

The skill set and characteristics are just a few top ones on a long list of what parents and residents describe as needed attributes. Nearly 500 residents completed the online survey and 91 people attended the two forum events.

Additional wanted attributes are the ability to be approachable, good listening skills, central office experience, good management skills, fiscal acumen and a track record of success.

“While making the necessary improvements, the new superintendent should be a leader who is creative and innovative, is visible in the school and the community and can bring unity to the district,” states the report’s executive summary.

In presenting the report at a recent school board meeting, Dr. Sam Mikaelian and Deborah Raizes, said HYA is committed to finding a candidate who posses most of the skills and traits cited by residents.

“When we asked for feedback we didn’t get just one or two sentences but graphs of suggestions. This is a very verbal community,” stated Mikaelian, noting that much of the survey and forum discussion points centered around curriculum and evaluation of teaching staff.

“You’re all looking for someone who walks on water and no one candidate will have all the wanted characteristics,” he said, adding that the firm and the school board intend to meet the challenge of finding some with most of the skills and trails.

“We will see a new superintendent who can work with the board to provide leadership needed to continue to raise academic standards in spite of financial challenges,” states the report.

The next step in the hiring process is screening candidates responding to national job listings about the open position and presenting a slate of candidates for the board to interview. That is expected to begin in mid January, according to HVA’s website.

The goal, said Mikaelian, is to have a candidate chosen by April with a July 1 job start date.

The superintendent role is currently being handled by former assistant superintendent for business  Peter Daly, who has stated he is not interested in the job fulltime. The vacancy was created after the retirement of Dr. Ellen Best-Lamit, who left in August after five years as superintendent