School board, superintendent search consultants seek community input

Published 3:37 pm Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Bainbridge Island school board directors and their superintendent search firm, Atlantic Partners, have created a survey to solicit community feedback regarding the ideal qualities of a future superintendent.

The survey, which will be sent to district families via an email message, presents four characteristics at a time – ranging from “inspirational” to “fiscally astute” to “culturally competent” – and asks participants to identify those “most important” or “least important” to them. Characteristics will cycle through 10 different groupings. The survey should take about five minutes to complete.

After meeting with district staff, students and families, consultants Jim Hager and Jim Huge created the Max-Diff survey to provide an opportunity for more input into the process of finding the best replacement for Superintendent Faith Chapel, who will retire in June after leading the district for more than eight years.

“Thanks to the long and stable tenures of both Faith Chapel and Ken Crawford before her, this is the first time in many years the district has embarked on a nationwide search for a new leader,” said Board President Mev Hoberg.

“We believe a school district is as stable and grounded as its superintendent, so this process is critical, and we hope parents, students, teachers and community members will help shape the candidate profile by taking the survey,” she said.

The survey will also be available on the district’s website through Monday, Feb. 29.

The position will remain open through Feb. 29 or until filled.

School board directors will not release names of candidates prior to actual interviews.