Superintendent Search

What are the key elements of a superintendent search?
The superintendent search is both an art and a science. The art side includes understanding the school district's needs, crafting a leadership profile, marketing the opportunity, collecting stakeholder feedback, and creating interview questions. The science side is driven by two Minnesota state statutes: the Open Meeting Law and the Government Data Practices Act.

How does the Open Meeting Law apply to the superintendent search process?
The Open Meeting Law requires that all steps of the search process be conducted in public school board meetings to ensure transparency. There will be no closed meetings during the search.

How does the Government Data Practices Act relate to the superintendent search?
The Government Data Practices Act deals with data privacy laws in Minnesota. It becomes particularly important when discussing applications during a public meeting. Identifying information about applicants cannot be used during these discussions.

What is the timeline for the superintendent search in St. Louis Park Public Schools?
The timeline includes:

• December 21st to January 18th: Stakeholder survey

• January 3rd: Q&A session (recorded and placed on the website)

• February 7th: Board interview training and discussion of stakeholder report

• February 7th: Application deadline

• February 9th to 21st: Board members review applications

• February 21st: Board determines finalists and announces their names

• February 28th and March 1st: Round 1 interviews

• March 13th: Round 2 interviews

How can stakeholders participate in the superintendent search process?
Stakeholders can participate by taking the stakeholder survey, watching the recorded Q & A session, and attending board meetings about the search process. Further involvement opportunities will be discussed by the board on February 7th.

What happens to the names of applicants who are not selected as finalists?
The names of applicants who are not selected as finalists will remain private data and will not be disclosed to the public.

When will the board announce the names of the finalists?
The board will announce the names of the finalists on February 21st, following their identification of candidates during the meeting that they wish to interview.

What languages are available for the stakeholder survey?
The stakeholder survey is available in English, Spanish, and Somali, and there will be survey groups for students, as well as multilingual survey groups for families who speak Somali and Spanish.

How can I access the timeline and other information related to the superintendent search?
All information related to the superintendent search, including the timeline, is available on the district website, and it is regularly updated by the Communications team.

When are the first round of interviews scheduled for the superintendent position?
The first round of interviews is scheduled for February 28th and March 1st, starting at 5:15 pm and 2:00 pm, respectively.

How many candidates are typically interviewed in the first round?
Typically, six candidates are interviewed in the first round for superintendent positions, but it depends on the size and quality of the candidate pool.

Is the second round of interviews scheduled, and how many finalists are there?
The second round of interviews is scheduled for March 13th at 3:30 pm. There are usually two to three finalists in the second round, but the board can bring back as many or as few candidates as they like.

Will the interviews be open to the public?
Yes, both the first and second round interviews are open meetings, allowing anyone to watch. However, it may not be live-streamed to ensure a level playing field for all candidates.

Why is live streaming not recommended for the interviews?
Live streaming is not recommended in order to maintain a level playing field for all candidates. If interviews are live-streamed, candidates later in the process could gain an advantage by watching earlier interviews and preparing accordingly.

What happens if the right candidate is not found by the school board?
If the school board doesn't find the right candidate, they can extend the deadline and reopen the search to get more applications. If needed, an interim superintendent can be appointed while conducting another search next year at no additional charge.

What is MSBA’s success rate of not having to start over after the initial timeline?
Over the last two years MSBA has supported 55 school boards in their superintendent search. Out of those 55 there were three instances where the right candidate was not found initially. In such cases, an interim superintendent was appointed and the search relaunched the following year (although two of those interims were ultimately offered the permanent position).

Is there a separate process for internal and external candidates?
No, there is no separate process for internal and external candidates. All candidates must go through the same process and steps.

Can the school board ask if a candidate is going to move to St. Louis Park?
No, the board cannot ask that question as it is not allowed by law. 

Is residency required for a superintendent?
Residency is not required for a superintendent, as it is determined by statute. The board cannot require residency.

How can stakeholders reach out with questions?
Stakeholders can reach out to the team via phone or email, and contact information is provided on the vacancy brochure.

Is there an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input?
Yes, stakeholders can provide input by filling out the stakeholder survey, which is available in multiple languages online and in hard copy. The deadline for the survey is midnight on January 18th.

Can participants choose not to fill out every single question in the survey?
Yes, participants are not required to fill out every single question in the survey, and it is completely anonymous. There are no character limits on the qualitative questions.

Where can participants find hard copies of the surveys?
The hard copies of the surveys will be distributed throughout the buildings, including the district office. Specific distribution locations may vary, so participants can check the district's website for updates or contact the communications team for more information.

How many responses have been received for the superintendent search survey, and when does it close?
The survey was opened on December 21st, and as of January 11 there have been 916 responses. The survey will remain open until January 18.

Will the results of the superintendent survey be shared with the public once it is closed?
Yes, the superintendent survey results will be shared publicly. The results will be made available on the district's website once they have been reviewed by the board.

How heavily will the current mission and vision of the district be stressed during the superintendent search process?
The current mission and vision of the district will be front and center during the superintendent search process. These elements are essential to the district's direction and will continue to be emphasized even during the transition period.

Will the school board be open to candidates who may have new ideas that depart from the current direction of the district?
The school board is open to all candidates and is looking for the best leader for the district. While they have a strong sense of the district's direction through the strategic plan, they are receptive to candidates who may bring new ideas and perspectives.

How is parent input used in choosing a superintendent with the desired qualities?
Parent input is valuable in the superintendent selection process. The school board and MSBA consider the leadership profile and stakeholder report when evaluating candidates to ensure alignment with the district's needs and priorities.

Are there plans to involve students, families, and community members beyond surveys in the superintendent search process?
The district is committed to stakeholder involvement. While the specific interview process has not been finalized, opportunities for involvement will be explored to ensure that the community's voice is heard.

Does the survey take any steps to ensure responses are only from district residents?
While there are no strict measures to ensure responses are only from district residents, the survey is primarily intended for those with a stake in the district's future. The majority of respondents are likely to have a connection to the district, whether through children attending school, property ownership, or employment within the district. Amy responses from individuals outside the district would have a negligible impact on the overall results.

Is this a national search for the superintendent position, or are you only considering local candidates?
This is indeed a national search for the superintendent position. The search is not limited to local candidates, and candidates from both within and outside Minnesota are being considered.

How will the school board make decisions on interviews for superintendent candidates?
The school board will wait to make a decision on interviews until they've had a chance to review the stakeholder survey report to see if it reflects their constituencies' viewpoints. Then, they will discuss interview options, which could or may include interview committees, input forums, or using the stakeholder survey report as the voice of stakeholders.

What is the role of MSBA in the superintendent search process?
MSBA's role is not to lead the search but to provide information, answer questions, and support the school board in making informed decisions throughout the search process.

How important is race and gender when choosing a new superintendent?
While race and gender are important factors, they are protected classes and the board cannot consider them as primary criteria. The board is looking for the best candidate based on qualifications and experience.

Will internal candidates be considered for the position?
Internal and external candidates go through the same process, and there is no preferential treatment for internal candidates.

How does MSBA ensure that the school board, district employees, and community members' vision and strategic plan match the current needs of students?
MSBA's role is not to suggest changes to the district's strategic plan. The school board is responsible for evaluating and making adjustments to the strategic plan if necessary.

Does one have to be a member of MSBA to be considered for the superintendent position?
No. MSBA is the Minnesota School Boards Association, while MASA (Minnesota Association of School Administrators) is the superintendents’ association. Being a member of MASA is not a requirement for consideration for the superintendent position.

How will MSBA ensure that candidates possess the skills and attributes required for St. Louis Park?
MSBA relies on the leadership profile created by the school board as well as the stakeholder report to assess candidates and recommend individuals whose background and experiences align with the district's needs.

How are references obtained for candidates?
Initial references are obtained from a candidate's reference list. MSBA and the school board will also conduct their own additional reference checks as the process moves forward.

Is the school board well-rounded enough to make a good choice, and who will be the voice of reason?
St. Louis Park’s school board members are committed to the well-being of students, and their deliberations are thorough. MSBA does not make the final decision but supports the board in making the best choice for their district.

Will MSBA promote certain candidates within the pool of available superintendents?
MSBA does not promote or favor specific candidates. All candidates are treated equally and must go through the same process.

How will MSBA ensure that marginalized voices and populations are included in the process?
MSBA aims to include representative groups in the process and seeks guidance from cultural liaisons and other district resources to reach out to underrepresented stakeholders.

How are the 20ish ethnicities selected in the survey, and how will the data be used?
The selection of ethnicities in the survey was based on extensive discussions among the school board members, aiming to reflect the St. Louis Park community's diversity. This information is intended to help illustrate whether the diversity of SLP’s stakeholders is reflected in the overall number of people who took the survey, but responses to survey questions will not be collated by race or ethnicity. There is also an option to skip this question or choose not to disclose.

What date was the board meeting regarding the survey discussion?
The board meeting discussing the survey took place on December 19th, 2023, at 6:30 PM.

The superintendent is selected by the St. Louis Park Public Schools School Board. The School Board has the authority to hire the Superintendent.

The Minnesota School Board Association is the search firm that was hired to conduct the search process.

The School Board expects to have the new Superintendent selected by this spring with an official starting date of July 1, 2024.

St. Louis Park Public Schools families can visit this website each week for a progress update on the search process. At pivotal points in the process, families and staff will receive direct updates via email, text message, voice mail and weekly and monthly e-newsletters. 

All information will be available in English, Spanish, and Somali.

MSBA Approved as Search Firm

Nov. 28

School Board Initial Conversation and Hopes and Dreams

Nov. 14