Clarkstown School Board Announces Search Consultant Presentations On Wednesday, Jan. 4 And Monday, Jan. 9

The Clarkstown Board of Education distributed an email just after 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon that announced the scheduling of two presentations by the hired to search for a new school superintendent.  The first session on Wednesday, Jan. 4 begins at 8:30 p.m. at . That evening the North PTSA is meeting at 7 p.m. and the Clarkstown South High School PTSA is meeting at 7:30 p.m. The consultant's second session on Monday, Jan. 9 starts at 7:30 p.m. at .

This is the text of the email.

"December 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians and Interested Community Members:

As many of you know, the Board of Education has begun the search process for a new Superintendent of Schools. Finding a new Superintendent is a challenge that will demand the best individual and collective efforts.

Accordingly, we are involving members of our community and members of the school district staff in assisting the Board of Education in this process. Under NYS law, the Board of Education has the exclusive and unilateral right and responsibility to select and appoint the Superintendent of Schools. Involving representatives of the school community, however, serves the best interests of identifying and selecting the best person to serve our children, school district, and community.

You are cordially invited to join our search consultants, Dr. Charles Fowler, Dr. Carol Choye, and Dr. Howard Smith, on January 4, 2012 at 8:30 p.m. in the Clarkstown High School North Auditorium, OR on January 9, 2012 in the Clarkstown High School South Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. to hear a brief presentation on the search and selection process and to share your opinions and expectations on the personal characteristics, skills, experience, and philosophy desired in a new Superintendent.*

Please call the District Clerk, Lilyane Lorusso, at 639-6397, Mailbox  #8052, to let us know if you plan to attend. We look forward to your participation on January 4th or 9th.

If you are unable to attend the meeting please complete our online survey www.surveymonkey.com/s/clarkstown. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Donna Ehrenberg, Vice President
Clarkstown Board of Education

*It is anticipated that the Board of Education will act on January 5th to approve the second date (January 9th)."

The online survey contains four questions.  The first question asks respondents to select the five characteristics they consider most critical for a superintendent from a list of 16 experiences and skills.  The second question ask what the most important quality is for the next superintendent to have and why.  The next question seeks comments or recommendations for the Board of Education. The fourth question deals with demographic information about the respondent – resident of Clarkstown, children attending Clarkstown schools, student, teacher, staff member, etc.

When the school board met on Monday, Dec. 12 and the topic of stakeholder meetings with the consultants was brought up, there was opposition from board members and the public to the Jan 4th date because of the conflict with the previously scheduled PTSA meeting.  Board President Doug Katz said he would discuss the proposed session and the conflict with the consultant before finalizing the date.