MCS asking for community input in superintendent search through public meeting & survey

by Sara Swanson

Manchester Community Schools (MCS) is actively involved in a search for a new superintendent and is offering two opportunities for community members to contribute to the development of a candidate profile, which will help guide their decision.

The first is to attend an interactive meeting with the regional president of Michigan Leadership Institute (the search firm the district), John Silveri, on Tuesday, March 18, at 5:45pm, in the Manchester Jr./Sr. High School Media Center where you will have the opportunity to provide input on the superintendent search, learn more about the search process, ask questions, and engage in conversation. Other stakeholder groups will be meeting beforehand, with MCS parents and Manchester community members closing out the evening.

If you can’t make the meeting, you can instead complete a survey and share your thoughts on the qualities the district should be looking for in their next superintendent at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G8FX9TR. The survey will be open until Wednesday, March 19, at 4:30pm.

The board has also released a timeline for the search:

• March 11–24 — Collect stakeholder feedback to develop candidate profile; create and finalize position announcement
• March 24–April 28 — Post position, place ads, accept applications until 4pm on agreed-upon date (Mon., April 28)
• Tues., May 6 — Presentation of applicants and determination by Board of candidates to interview; prepare for first round interviews (i.e., select interview questions)
• May 12–14 — First round interviews conducted
• Thurs., May 15 — Finalists selected
• May 19–21 — Finalist interviews conducted; each finalist meets with stakeholder groups prior to interview with Board
• Thurs., May 29 — District tours/meet and greet
• Mon., June 2 — Selection of superintendent
• Week of June 16 — Board action to hire new superintendent (tentative)
• Tues., July 1 — New superintendent’s first official workday (tentative)

The Board of Education states, “Your feedback is invaluable in ensuring that we identify a superintendent who will best meet the needs of our students, staff, and community.”

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.