U-46 wants your input

Though the public forums held to help guide Elgin Area School District U-46 search for a new superintendent ended Thursday, residents can still put their two cents in.

Community members still have until the end of January to give input on the qualities needed in the individual who will replace outgoing Superintendent Connie Neale.

Neale, now living in Missouri, submitted her resignation in October. On indefinite medical leave, she will remain on the district's payroll until Feb. 25.

An online survey available in both English and Spanish on the district's Web site, www.u-46.org, will function to tweak the "working draft" of traits Milwaukee-based ProAct Search Inc. is seeking in candidates for the job.

A successful candidate must have a "demonstrated record of fiscal responsibility … a strong commitment to the values of public education … and have successfully met the challenges of leading a large, diverse organization," the profile stated.

A candidate does not necessarily have to come from an education background, said Claudyne Whitaker, who ran Thursday's forum at Larkin High.

"You'd be surprised at how many superintendent candidates come from law and military backgrounds," she said.

Hoping to have a superintendent in place by next May, the search firm will now begin to advertise the position in newspapers, educational magazines and Web sites.

U-46 will also pay ProAct $27,000 for its services, plus up to $18,000 in search expenses, which include background checks on finalists, travel expenses, supplies, advertising and technology expenses.

Expecting 40 to 50 applications, ProAct plans to select its finalists by April. Approximately 8 to 10 candidates will be reviewed by the school board.

U-46 used search firms in securing both Connie Neale and her predecessor, Marvin Edwards. This is the first time ProAct has worked with the district.