By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland Public Schools Board of Education has finalized its criteria for determining who should be the district’s next superintendent.
After reviewing the results of an online survey as well as responses during recent stakeholder input meetings, the school board April 30 settled on characteristics they will look for as they review applicants for the superintendent’s job. The district will accept applications for the position through Tuesday, May 27 at 4 p.m.
In its opening statement on the search criteria, ZPS says it is “seeking a trustworthy, collaborative leader who will work closely with the Board of Education, staff and community to ensure the success of every student.”
The statement further goes on to say, “Guided by our mission to inspire all learners and our vision of excellence and engagement, the next superintendent will be expected to lead with integrity, build strong relationships, and keep students at the heart of every decision.”
The school board voted April 1 to begin the search for a new superintendent. Dr. Brandi-Lyn Mendham, who has been the district’s superintendent the past four years, has been on medical leave since mid-October.
Matt Stolz served as ZPS interim superintendent until the end of last week, when he left the district to take an assistant superintendent position at West Ottawa Public Schools. Former Hamilton and Northview superintendent Dr. Scott Korpak began his new duties as interim superintendent on Monday.
A total of 585 people took part in a 10-question online survey last month that asked respondents what type of characteristics, leadership style, areas of expertise and educational level they would like to see in a new superintendent.
In terms of personality characteristics, respondents placed the greatest emphasis on honesty and ethical behavior, with 97.9 percent considering it “critically important” or “above average in importance.” In the area of approachability, 92.1 percent of respondents considered it critically important or above average in importance. That was followed by being a strong listener, which 91.7 percent of those responding to the survey considering it critical or above average in importance.
On the question of leadership style, 47 percent of respondents said they favored a candidate with a collaborative leadership style, while another 38.9 percent said they like a candidate who inspires his or her team with a shared vision of the future.
Among the respondents, 54 percent had lived in the district for at least 10 years. Meanwhile, 52.3 percent of respondents did not work for the school district, while another 22.6 percent has worked for ZPS for at least 10 years.
“We got a good mix between people that work for the district, which obviously are stakeholders, and then people in the community,” said Rod Green, a Michigan Association of School Boards consultant who is working with the board on the superintendent search.
Among the criteria the board agreed to seek in a candidate include:
? Inspires others toward the shared district vision and strategic plan.
? Identifies emerging trends, anticipates their impact, and develops strategies to address them.
? Seeks to understand technological innovations and their impact on education.
? Strong background in PreK-12 education, administration, and instruction.
? Record of success in past positions, including improving achievement for all students.
? Actively engages and responds to families and community.
? Student-first approach to support learners of all abilities, interests, and backgrounds.
? Exceedingly responsive and follows through.
? Demonstrates transparency and collaboration in decision-making.
? Honest, ethical, straightforward, and transparent.
? Values relationships and believes in “safe, valued, loved, and learning”.
? Engaging, visible, approachable, and accessible to staff, students, and community.
? Involved and invested in the local community.
A complete list of selection criteria can be found on the district’s website at zps.org/about-us/board-of-education/superintendent-search-process, then click on the link that says “Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Selection Criteria.”
The school board plans to meet Thursday, June 5 to prepare for the interview process and determine which candidates to bring in for an interview. The first round of interviews is set for Friday, June 13, with an open house and the final round of interviews to take place on Thursday, June 19. The board may decide after the final interviews who their choice will be for superintendent, with the successful candidate expected to start July 1.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland Public Schools Board of Education has finalized its criteria for determining who should be the district’s next superintendent.
After reviewing the results of an online survey as well as responses during recent stakeholder input meetings, the school board April 30 settled on characteristics they will look for as they review applicants for the superintendent’s job. The district will accept applications for the position through Tuesday, May 27 at 4 p.m.
In its opening statement on the search criteria, ZPS says it is “seeking a trustworthy, collaborative leader who will work closely with the Board of Education, staff and community to ensure the success of every student.”
The statement further goes on to say, “Guided by our mission to inspire all learners and our vision of excellence and engagement, the next superintendent will be expected to lead with integrity, build strong relationships, and keep students at the heart of every decision.”
The school board voted April 1 to begin the search for a new superintendent. Dr. Brandi-Lyn Mendham, who has been the district’s superintendent the past four years, has been on medical leave since mid-October.
Matt Stolz served as ZPS interim superintendent until the end of last week, when he left the district to take an assistant superintendent position at West Ottawa Public Schools. Former Hamilton and Northview superintendent Dr. Scott Korpak began his new duties as interim superintendent on Monday.
A total of 585 people took part in a 10-question online survey last month that asked respondents what type of characteristics, leadership style, areas of expertise and educational level they would like to see in a new superintendent.
In terms of personality characteristics, respondents placed the greatest emphasis on honesty and ethical behavior, with 97.9 percent considering it “critically important” or “above average in importance.” In the area of approachability, 92.1 percent of respondents considered it critically important or above average in importance. That was followed by being a strong listener, which 91.7 percent of those responding to the survey considering it critical or above average in importance.
On the question of leadership style, 47 percent of respondents said they favored a candidate with a collaborative leadership style, while another 38.9 percent said they like a candidate who inspires his or her team with a shared vision of the future.
Among the respondents, 54 percent had lived in the district for at least 10 years. Meanwhile, 52.3 percent of respondents did not work for the school district, while another 22.6 percent has worked for ZPS for at least 10 years.
“We got a good mix between people that work for the district, which obviously are stakeholders, and then people in the community,” said Rod Green, a Michigan Association of School Boards consultant who is working with the board on the superintendent search.
Among the criteria the board agreed to seek in a candidate include:
? Inspires others toward the shared district vision and strategic plan.
? Identifies emerging trends, anticipates their impact, and develops strategies to address them.
? Seeks to understand technological innovations and their impact on education.
? Strong background in PreK-12 education, administration, and instruction.
? Record of success in past positions, including improving achievement for all students.
? Actively engages and responds to families and community.
? Student-first approach to support learners of all abilities, interests, and backgrounds.
? Exceedingly responsive and follows through.
? Demonstrates transparency and collaboration in decision-making.
? Honest, ethical, straightforward, and transparent.
? Values relationships and believes in “safe, valued, loved, and learning”.
? Engaging, visible, approachable, and accessible to staff, students, and community.
? Involved and invested in the local community.
A complete list of selection criteria can be found on the district’s website at zps.org/about-us/board-of-education/superintendent-search-process, then click on the link that says “Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Selection Criteria.”
The school board plans to meet Thursday, June 5 to prepare for the interview process and determine which candidates to bring in for an interview. The first round of interviews is set for Friday, June 13, with an open house and the final round of interviews to take place on Thursday, June 19. The board may decide after the final interviews who their choice will be for superintendent, with the successful candidate expected to start July 1.
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