Schools

Birmingham Wants Next Superintendent to be 'Thought Leader,' Survey Finds

Focus group and survey responses help board focus on desired qualities as the first round of interviews is scheduled for May 22.

When it comes to choosing the next superintendent of , community members, teachers and parents are clear: They want someone with vision and passion and who knows how to work with students.

The Birmingham Board of Education is entrenched in the process of hiring a new superintendent to replace David Larson, who .

Tuesday night, school board members heard the results from several community focus groups as well as an electronic survey conducted by .

Find out what's happening in Birminghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The survey and focus groups are part of a that aims to have a new superintendent in place by July 1.

District receives 40 applications

During a presentation to the school board Tuesday, School Exec Connect representatives said they received and processed at least 40 applications for the Birmingham position.

Find out what's happening in Birminghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We're pleased with the number," said David Peterson, School Exec consultant and retired superintendent from the Northern Suburban School District. "But not only the number but the quality (of the applicants)."

Though the search firm hasn't broken down applicants by geography yet, School Exec President Linda Hanson noted the majority of applicants are from Michigan, though there has been significant interest from out of state.

Concerning participation so far in the focus groups and online survey, William Hamilton — School Exec consultant and retired superintendent from Walled Lake Consolidated Schools — said there were 532 survey responses and 95 attendees at 10 different focus groups.

According to Hamilton, 60 percent of focus group participants were parents, followed by certified staff, which made up 24 percent of participants. The remaining focus group members were students, support staff, administrators and community members.

Focus groups want student-centered, strong leader

During the focus groups and online survey, participants were asked to assess the district's strengths and challenges, and indicate what they're looking for in the next superintendent.

District strengths and challenges

Of the district's strengths, participants mentioned, among others:

  • Teacher quality
  • The district's dedication to 21st century teaching and learning
  • Student achievement
  • The district's image
  • Fiscal management
  • Open communication

Included in the district's challenges was:

  • An understanding of diversity
  • A focus on content mastery, rather than test scores.
  • Class size
  • Board governance
  • Financial stability

Next superintendent's skills and goals

Participants made it clear that Birmingham's next superintendent should be a "visionary leader," but even more than that, Hanson said focus group members wanted a "thought leader."

Also high on the list of required skills was a "student-centered knowledge of curriculum, instruction and student learning."

Above all, Hanson said participants said they're looking for a superintendent who is able to foster strong relationships and has the strategic vision to lead the district into the future.

Board member Lori Soifer said when it comes to picking the next superintendent, students should come first. "I think our superintendent needs to like kids," she said.

First-round interviews set for May 22

The search firm will continue to interview candidates, eventually recommending four finalists to the board during its regular meeting May 22.

On May 30, the school board is to conduct its first round of interviews, most likely in two batches. The board will then select two finalists, both of which will be interviewed by two committees made up of parents, teachers and administrators.

Final interviews for the last two candidates, including candidates' 15-minute presentations to the board, are scheduled for June 6-7. The final interviews will be televised.

The school board hopes to make its selection by June 11.

Check out Birmingham Schools Superintendent Search 2012 for more on Birmingham Public Schools' search for a new superintendent this spring and summer.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Birmingham