State College Area School District will hold five town hall forums this month to garner input from community members on the search for a new superintendent.
The meetings will be led by Tom Templeton, the school board’s consultant for the superintendent hiring process, board President Amber Concepcion wrote in message to the district community on Friday.
In-person forums will be held 6 p.m. on Sept. 8, 14, 21 and 29 in the Panorama Village administrative building, 240 Villa Crest Drive. Templeton will be on site beginning at 4 p.m. each day for those who wish to share their thoughts privately, Concepcion wrote.
A virtual meeting is scheduled for 5 to 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 19, with registration details to be announced.
“The town halls will be dynamic conversations, including opportunities to listen to the views of your fellow citizens,” Concepcion wrote. “Mr. Templeton has conducted many town hall sessions with community groups throughout Pennsylvania, and is skilled at presenting the information to the board with professionalism, and in a manner that respects everyone’s involvement.”
Opportunities for district staff and high school level students to meet with Templeton will be scheduled separately.
The board also will be conducting surveys, which will be forthcoming.
“The information from these outreach efforts will assist the board in developing interview questions, analyzing candidate preparedness, conducting reference checks, constructing interviewing activities for candidates and setting future goals for our district,” Concepcion wrote.
Former Superintendent Bob O’Donnell stepped down on July 1 after 11 years in the position to take on the same role at Downingtown Area School District in Chester County.
Assistant Superintendent Curtis Johnson is serving as interim superintendent until the position is filled.
Community outreach is the fourth of eight phases established by the board for the superintendent search.
