Leadership Profile Completed For New Region 15 Schools Chief

SOUTHBURY/MIDDLEBURY, CT — The search for a Region 15 Superintendent of Schools is moving ahead with the release of a Leadership Profile report that outlines the qualities the community prefers in its next district leader.

To ensure the most qualified candidate is found, focus groups met to discuss expectations for the next superintendent, with 84 people participating. The focus groups included school district administrators, teachers and staff, plus city government officials, Middlebury and Southbury residents, students, and parents of students. In addition, an online survey compiled the opinions of another 542 people. The full 34-page Leadership Profile report and recruitment flyer detailing the position are posted on the school district’s website, www.region15.org.

The Leadership Profile report is based on responses from the focus groups and online survey. Highlights from the report conclude that the community values:

· A leader with a background in a broad spectrum of educational environments, from principal to superintendent.

· A leader familiar with Region 15 and its communities.

· A deep understanding of special education programs and services.

· A leader with a record of transparency.

· Knowledge of curriculum development and initiatives.

· A superintendent skilled at faculty relations and development.

· An understanding of budget management.

· A leader who is trustworthy, approachable, and passionate about education.

The report was compiled by Tom Jokubaitus and Dr. James Ritchie, veteran Connecticut school administrators working as consultants with the Executive Searches team of Cooperative Educational Services in Trumbull.

C.E.S. is the agency facilitating the search and has reached out to more than 10,000 current superintendents across the country via email and posts on websites for various national and regional education-related organizations.

The application deadline for the superintendent position is May 31 at 2 p.m. The Region 15 Board of Education is serving as the Search Committee and expects to begin interviews with selected candidates in early June and name the next superintendent in July. The new superintendent will replace Regina Lemerich Botsford, who is retiring at the end of the school year.