Clinton board faces ‘dilemma’ following survey results

By: 
MEGAN LINSKI

Clinton Community Schools (CCS) recently received the results of its January superintendent survey. A total of 81 responses were recorded from students, staff members, parents and community members on what values they wished to see in the next superintendent. Out of 15 different qualities, participants were asked to list their top three choices. Results of the survey showed each of the 15 qualities had near or equal results of importance to the participants.

The listed qualities referred to: the superintendent’s relationships with the school board, community, and staff; business and finance experience; educational leadership; personal qualities; use of data to improve learning; policy implementation; curriculum; progress towards school improvement plan; student attendance; parent/student/teacher communication; approachability; visibility; and student growth/ achievement.

“The school board has a dilemma now on where they want to go from here,” said David Pray, interim superintendent. “They don’t have a good idea of what the community wants.”

Pray said the board is looking for someone who is solid in finance, who can make sure the finances of the district are in order so funds can be shared equally among the needs of the district.

Another priority for the board is hiring someone concerned with safety and security for students. CCS currently has cameras in the schools, as well as an entry system that Pray said is secure. “If you want to work as a volunteer in the school, you have to have a criminal background check,” Pray said. “We’ve done a lot with technology to improve the safety of our students.”

Responses for the survey were high for the approximately 1000-student school district. “For a survey like this, and the number of people who responded, it was a pretty good turnout,” Pray said. “Unless there are problems, you don’t usually get a lot of results.”

The board is currently searching for an internal applicant for the superintendent position, and is looking for recommendations for anyone already in the school district who would be suitable for the job. However, within the next two weeks, the school board will consider if they want to begin searching for applicants externally.

“If you have somebody you know being groomed for the position, why would you use the money and time it takes to search for someone?” Pray said. “Very few people externally will apply if they know there is an internal candidate.”

The board’s goal is to have a new superintendent hired by July 1 of this year. Pray said he will work with the new superintendent for a minimum of three months so he can share his experience at CCS. “I don’t know what part they want me to play in this,” Pray said. “But I know they’ve made it clear they want me to work with whoever this person is.”

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