Glenbard sets timeline for picking superintendent
Glenbard High School District 87 could have a new superintendent selected by March, according to a timeline released this week by the district.
The school board is contracting with Highland Park-based School Exec Connect to conduct a search for a new district leader, following Superintendent Michael Meissen’s announcement in August that he would be stepping down at the end of the school year.
The firm will conduct a total of 11 focus group interviews beginning next month as a way to solicit input from district stakeholders on characteristics they desire in a new superintendent. Officials will talk to the school board, district administrative team, teachers and parents at each of the four Glenbard high schools, and district superintendents of the Glenbard feeder districts.
Those who reside in District 87 will be able to fill out a survey on the district website to provide their feedback.
The search firm is expected to share its survey and focus group reports during a board meeting at Glenbard West on Jan. 23.
Board member Tom Voltaggio will serve as a liaison to the search firm and provide updates to the school board on the progress of the search. He’ll also forward names of any other candidates board members want to be considered.
During board meetings last month, Voltaggio expressed reservations that a locally based school administrator search firm would have a limited scope in the candidates considered. So when the board voted to approve a $19,500 contract with School Exec Connect, it came with the caveat that board members have some oversight during the course of the three-month search process.
On Feb. 13, the firm is expected to present the top six candidates to the board — on paper — during a closed session meeting. Interviews with those candidates would take place Feb. 15 and 18.
Once board members make a selection, they will negotiate a contract and conduct reference checks on the preferred candidate, leading to an eventual contract agreement in place on March 19, according to the estimated timeline.