February 1, 2017
Contact: Gary Rider, Regional President, Michigan Leadership Institute, 616-901-3738 or gridermli@gmail.com
Buchanan Board begins search to replace superintendent
The Buchanan Community Schools Board of Education has officially begun their search for a new superintendent. A special board meeting was held Tuesday night to plan the search with consultant Gary Rider. Rider is the Regional President of the Michigan Leadership Institute and was selected by the Board to lead the search effort.
During the meeting, Rider explained the process to be followed and helped the Board develop a tentative timeline for the search to replace retiring Superintendent Dr. Andrea van der Laan. Rider and the board also discussed the importance of feedback from parents, students, staff, and the community. “Mr. Rider will be facilitating focus group meetings and a community forum on Wednesday February 8th to gather data for the Board and a survey will be posted on the district web site. All this data will be compiled and given to the Board to consider when developing a profile for the ideal candidate,” said Board President Harvey Burnett.
A tentative calendar was developed at the meeting. The position is scheduled to be posted February 15 after the Board completes the process of developing the candidate profile. The deadline for applications is tentatively set for March 15th. The Board will then select candidates for interviews. There is also the possibility of site visits for finalists should the Board choose to do so.
An on-line survey has been posted on the Buchanan Community Schools website so that community members and staff can provide their input to the Board regarding the skills, characteristics and talents the next Superintendent should possess. The survey will be active beginning Thursday, February 2nd and will be open until 4:00 pm on Thursday, February 9th.
Rider expects a good pool of qualified candidates to apply for the position. “I anticipate the district will attract excellent applicants both close to Buchanan and from outside the area,” said Rider.
The tentative schedule for the search is included below:
February 8 Focus Group meetings and Community Forum
February 15 Position posting
March 15 Application deadline
March 21 Selection of candidates to be interviewed
March 27 & 28 First round interviews
April 11 & 12 Second round interviews
April 18 & 19 Possible site visits
(To be determined) Selection of new Superintendent
(To be determined) Start date of new Superintendent
