Search is underway for new North Mason superintendent

The North Mason School Board unanimously approved a superintendent recruitment flyer after a study session Nov. 25.

The position is now open for applicants through Jan. 5.

Search firm Ray & Associates presented results from stakeholders’ meetings and surveys at the workshop to identify qualities wanted by the community in a uperintendent to replace Dana Rosenbach, who will retire in June.

“Stakeholders really emphasized the need for consistent, transparent communication and a leader who not only sets clear expectations but ensures follow-through to build trust across the district,” Regional Search Associate Richard Lasso said.

Ray & Associates had meetings Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 with parents, students, principals, secondary staff, past board members, business and church leaders and other stakeholders and also received about 74 responses to a survey asking what qualities the next NMSD superintendent should have.

Lasso said the top “theme” he saw in the survey comments was accountability, followed by a focus on discipline.

“The need to have high expectations and high follow through when it came to misbehavior, particularly at the secondary level,” according to Lasso.

Community connection and trust building, student-centered leadership and resource allocation rounded at the top five themes, he said.

Board Member Erik Youngberg, looking through the survey, pointed out a comment.

“A candidate who is one of us, not the boss of us,” he read. “I love that comment,” Youngberg said.

Lead Associate Steve Chestnut said the board should share survey results with the new superintendent.

Even though no students filled out the survey, students did show up in person at the stakeholder meetings to voice their opinions.

Lasso said he interacted with 21 students from middle school and high school.

“Visibility and presence was hands down the number one thing that came from students,” Lasso said.

“Someone who doesn’t just show up at games or concerts, but shows a vested interest in the work that they’re doing,” he said.

Students also said they wanted more advanced placement classes, according to Lasso.

Parents agreed.

“They felt that the school district does really, really well with the special needs population and would like to see the same thing replicated on the other side of the spectrum,” Reginal Search Associate Libra Forde said.

She saw themes of visibility, personable, collaborative, transparent, accountability, fiscally responsible as characteristics needed in a superintendent.

“It did not come from one or two different groups. It was a nice stream between all groups, that these were things that people were looking for,” she said.

Ray & Associates staff discussed how to combine 31 valued characteristics the community identified into a shorter list to print on the recruitment flyer before the vote of approval.

Ten qualities are now listed on the flyer, available on the NMSD website, including possess excellent interpersonal skills, present a positive image of the district, will listen to input and be a decision maker and possess the leadership skills, knowledge and sensitivity required to respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by a diverse student body and community.

The top candidates will be presented to the board Jan. 15 and a finalist will be announced in January or February, according to Chestnut.