State College Area School District has begun the initial stages of finding its next superintendent, with a search firm expected to be appointed next week and an interim superintendent named in the near future.
Current Superintendent Bob O’Donnell announced in April that he would be leaving the position after 11 years to take the top administrative post at Downingtown Area School District in Chester County.
He will be staying on at SCASD through the end of June.
The school board issued a request for proposals from firms to conduct a superintendent search in late April. The board is interviewing consulting firms this week with the goal of approving a selection at its regular meeting on May 16, Board President Amber Concepcion wrote in a message district families and employees.
“Superintendent searches are most successful with the help of a consulting firm that specializes in recruiting highly-qualified candidates who are a good fit for the communities in which they will serve,” Concepcion wrote.
The scope of the firm’s work will include:
• Facilitating the board’s efforts to find and hire a qualified superintendent to lead the District.
• Engaging with district and community stakeholders to identify the qualities desired in a
superintendent.
• Demonstrating a process that identifies a diverse pool of qualified candidates in districts with a similar achievement and community context and size, and reflecting a familiarity with SCASD students’ needs.
• Soliciting applications from a national pool of highly qualified individuals.
• Developing an application process for the position, including the qualities identified from
stakeholder engagement.
• Advising the board regarding identification and assessment of candidates.
• Assisting with logistics of finalist interviews.
Concepcion wrote that community members will be notified about opportunities to provide feedback about the characteristics desired in the next superintendent.
“Community participation is important in this process, so please look for future emails about these opportunities for input and check our website for updates and previous communications,” she wrote.
Because the search is expected to take some time, the board will appoint an interim superintendent to lead the district administration until the position is permanently filled. Concepcion wrote that the interim superintendent will be appointed “in the near future,” but did not give a specific date, adding that more information would be forthcoming.
“Our interim superintendent will be well-prepared and highly qualified to support our students and staff throughout the transition period and the start of a new school year,” she wrote. “Our administration and board are prepared to ensure continuity for students and staff throughout this transition.”
