Waiting for Superman: SHS Continues Search for New Principal

What does it take to become principal of Scarsdale High School? 

"Genuine understanding and concern for adolescence," "intellectual depth and breadth" and "the capacity to inspire" were only a few of many desired traits recently proposed to  Dr. Joan Weber, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administrative Services, by teachers, parents and students. 

Perhaps the tallest order required of SHS's future leader is a "tremendous sense of humor" -- a rare but necessary quality needed in order to successfully weather the attention, pressures and challenges that'd inevitably arise while helming one of the nation's most prestigious public secondary schools. 

Weber, who drafted an ad for retired Principal John Klemme's replacement that ran in last Sunday's New York Times, explained the time-consuming process of combing North America's preeminent school districts for an outstanding educator to lead SHS. 

"I met with the following groups: all the teachers in all the departments -- the English department, the math department, the physical education department, you name it -- and then I met with a representative group of students. I also met with the parents," Weber said. 

Based on their feedback, Weber composed an advertisement, which the high school will run in the Times, Education Week, the Chicago Tribune and on various job sites like Monster.com. The ad has already received several responses, but Weber stressed that the high school would not rush their decision while identifying the perfect candidate. 

"We're looking for, as we say, the person who can walk across the pond -- who is our own Superwoman or Superman," Weber said.

Weber hopes that the school will begin reviewing resumes in January. Final candidates will be called back for interviews in March, and Superintendent Michael McGill will forward his recommendation to the Board in April. Throughout the entire hiring process, a screening committee consisting of teachers, administrators and parents will give their feedback to the school. 

"We hope to have people come back at least twice before we send anybody on. One interview will not do," Weber said.  "When we do send the finalists on, we will have them interviewed by many committees. The committees will be representative of the various groups in the high school -- secretaries, custodians, nurses, aids, teachers, parents and administrators." 

Prospective applicants who display potential will submit to a grueling all-day interview process. The various committees will then report their findings to the screening committee based on an assessment of candidates' identified strengths and weaknesses. Once a consensus is reached, their top selections' references will be checked by the PTA, the Teachers' and Principals' unions before McGill recommends the Board to review his final choice. 

"The superintendent is responsible for making the recommendation to the Board, and the Board acts on the superintendents's recommendation," Weber said. "If there are any disputes or disagreements, he is the ultimate decision maker." 

While Weber and her colleagues are prepared to search high and low for SHS's new principal, they've also acknowledged that the perfect candidate may also be scribbling on a blackboard in a nearby classroom. So despite advertising on the internet and the nation's largest newspapers, the school is also taking a more old-fashioned approach by composing take-home brochures and distributing them throughout the community. After all, Klemme may have come from Michigan...but the perfect unknown candidate might be located right here in Westchester County.   

Who do you think should be SHS's new principal? What qualities do you search for in a school leader? Leave your opinions in the comments below.