Interested applicants have just another week to submit applications for the top leadership job in Alexandria City Public Schools.
Applications are due Feb. 9 for the position, which was vacated by ACPS graduate Dr. Gregory Hutchings over the summer of 2022.
The search committee released what they described as "a summary of what we heard from you about the assets and challenges in our school division and the characteristics that are needed in a permanent superintendent."
The report was created by McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C Executive Recruitment and Development. More than 50% of responses to the survey were from students.
"Thank you for the thoughtful comments and ideas, which have been reviewed by the School Board in preparation for assessing applications and interviewing prospective candidates. This report is now available online, along with a timeline and other information, on the superintendent search webpage."
The survey also asked parents, teachers, transportation specialists, directors and central staff for their opinions.
The consultants summarized the responses to the question, "What skills, qualities, and characteristics will the new superintendent need in order to be successful?"
The answer: "The new superintendent should have experience in a similar diverse, urban/suburban school division and be able to demonstrate a successful record of student achievement in their previous position. An individual that is a champion of equity and equitable practices is essential. The new superintendent should have a great deal of integrity, and desire to work in a collaborative manner within the division and with the City. The candidate should be visible throughout the City and demonstrate the willingness to work with all constituencies throughout the City. A consistent theme within all the groups interviewed is that they would like to see this individual demonstrate a commitment to remaining in the division for a significant period of time. A resourceful, creative superintendent who is a great communicator is also desired by those interviewed during the stakeholder meetings. Finally, the consistent theme from the students who were interviewed is that they would like an individual that cares about them and is responsive to the concerns that they would like to share on a regular basis."
Candidates will be interviewed in March. The School Board plans to make an announcement in April 2023, and the permanent superintendent will begin in this position on July 1, 2023.
This year, Melanie Kay-Wyatt has served as acting superintendent.
