Search on for city super

Published 5:03 pm Tuesday, February 10, 2015

What qualities and qualifications would you like to see in the next Brewton City Schools superintendent?
That’s the question the school board is asking as it begins it search to fill the spot that will become vacant with the retirement of Lynn Smith this June.
Wednesday, the board approved an $8,500 contract with the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) to coordinate the regional search.
“This is like a silver package,” said Chairwoman Stephanie Walker. “It’s not the most expensive or the least expensive package, but it fills every need we have.
“We decided to go regionally because we want our candidate to have Alabama experience,” she said. “We felt that was crucial to success.”
The AASB process is described as an open, community-based program that allows parents, students, teachers, staff and local residents to give input on the qualities desired in candidates.
Residents are asked to fill out an anonymous online survey, which is live now at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BrewtonSearch, or attend a Thurs., Feb. 19, community input meeting at the central office.
The day’s one-hour block schedule is:
• 10:45 a.m.: parents and community;
• 1:15 p.m.: public officials
• 2:30 p.m.: system and building administrators;
• 3:45 p.m.: certified staff;
• 5 p.m.: support staff; and,
• 6:30 p.m.: parents and community.
Those results will be made available to the board by March 3, Walker said.
An application deadline will be held at the beginning of March. All candidates will undergo a background and credit check. Five finalists will be selected by mid-April, and interviews will be held daily on May 4,5,7, 11 and 12.
“We need people to show up at these meetings or fill out a survey,” said board member Ola Ball. “Everyone’s input is needed.”