The Indian River County School Board is willing to pay a new superintendent up to $175,000. In return they want an experienced, dynamic leader well-versed in school finances, curriculum development, relationship building and experience addressing equity, exclusion, diversity and accessibility issues.
Those are among the top qualifications the Board voted to include in a job description that is being printed in national publications beginning this week. The Board approved the job description at its Sept. 24 meeting.
“Everything is falling into place for the superintendent search,” Board Chairman Laura Zorc said. “Finding the next superintendent is the most important decision the Board will have to make.
“We are fortunate to be receiving sound advice and guidance from [Interim Superintendent Susan Moxley] throughout the process.”
A total of 14 forums were held during the week of Sept. 9 for a range of groups, including principals, teachers, students, principals from charter schools and the community-at-large, said Bill Adams, vice president for Hazard, Young, Attea Associates, the firm hired to lead the district’s superintendent search.
Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and suggest what type of qualities they would like the new superintendent to possess, but public response to the forums was anemic.
Only 16 of the 114 persons who participated in the forums were residents not attending or working at district schools, disappointed board members acknowledged.
Board member Teri Barenborg noted that concerns about Hurricane Dorian the prior week may have affected turnout. She was pleased that an additional 869 people participated in an online survey regarding the superintendent search.
The District will accept candidates for the superintendent position through Oct. 25, with initial interviews slated to be held Nov. 14, Adams said. The Board would like to have a new superintendent hired by Jan. 1.
Interim Superintendent Susan Moxley has agreed to remain with the district as long as needed to help the new superintendent transition into the new job.
Moxley was hired as Interim Superintendent after former Superintendent Mark Rendell abruptly resigned in May after the Board voted to not renew his contract beyond the 2019-20 school year. Some school board members and others hoped that Moxley would vie to be permanent superintendent but she has said she will not be applying.