The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Search consultant Dr. Bill Jordan stresses the importance of community feedback

WAITSBURG – Following an executive session with members of the Waitsburg School Board, Dr. Bill Jordan, of Northwest Leadership Associates, addressed the public with an update on the timeline and process for Waitsburg School District's superintendent search. Jordan stressed the importance of community involvement in the later stages of the selection process.

Jordan said he will meet with the board to review files and make determinations for first-round interviews on March 17. First round preliminary interviews will take place March 21-22. Jordan requested that the board select community members, classified staff, certified staff, and a student representative to observe those interviews and provide feedback.

From the interviews and feedback, the board will call back one to three final candidates to be interviewed on April 10-12. Jordan explained that the delay in the call-backs is because the district is working around spring break schedules.

One candidate will interview each day. Jordan said each candidate will meet with certificated and classified staff, community leaders, and associated student body representatives. The candidate will also have a one-on-one interview with the school board followed by a community open session in the evening. Jordan emphasized that feedback from the meetings, interviews, and open session is critical.

"We want the community to be sure and take advantage of the opportunity to come and get to know the candidates and offer feedback. And each candidate will have the opportunity to see the district, experience the folks in the district, and get to know the community," Jordan said.

The board will then take the information from the two comprehensive interviews and all the feedback that they get to determine who they want to select as superintendent," Jordan added.

It is anticipated that a contract will be offered on or before April 14. The new superintendent will take over duties from retiring superintendent Dr. Carol Clarke on July 1.