Columbia Public Schools seeks feedback on next superintendent at in-person sessions
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)
Columbia Public Schools hosted three in-person sessions on Wednesday to gather feedback on what the community would like to see in its next superintendent.
The public forums were held at Rock Bridge, Hickman and Battle high schools with a final session scheduled at the Douglass High School media center at 12:15 p.m. Thursday.
CPS tasked the Missouri School Boards Association to help them find its next superintendent. The group says it conducts roughly 15 searches like this a year and has been recruiting candidates for the district and scheduling interviews.
The district is paying MSBA $20,000 for the search. CPS was set to pay its former Superintendent Brian Yearwood more than $667,000 on Jan. 1 in a contract buyout. The district announced his abrupt departure in November.
“What we've learned is listen to the board, but also guide the board to make sure they have a really solid process,” MSBA consultant Linda Quinley said. “We're really happy this board has listened to some of our recommendations. They've also told us more community input, more data, more information.”
Feedback from the listening sessions will be summarized and presented to CPS board members during upcoming interviews. CPS posted a survey on its website in December that asked community members what they sought in a new superintendent. The survey has since closed.
MSBA will begin reviewing candidates next week and semifinalists will be interviewed the week of Jan. 27. According to MSBA, finalist interviews are expected to take place the week of Feb. 10.
Attendees at Wednesday's sessions were asked four questions that were based on the types of qualities and traits people are looking for in the next superintendent.
“We selected the questions just to give those key themes a little deeper information when we share them with the board next week,” Qunley said.
Attendees were divided into small groups and when each question came up, they had 10 minutes to discuss them with their group before submitting their individual responses.
Some people who participated in the sessions were unhappy with how the district handled Yearwood's exit.
“Having him just kind of abruptly retiring early as well as some whispers that have gone back and forth, I think that it was a struggle for a lot of people here who feel like there was a lack of communication as to why,” Rock Bridge High School teacher Drew Shattuck said.
“Transparency I feel was lacking,” Board of Education candidate Ken Rice said. “They basically lied about what happened to the last superintendent, and that's concerning. I think they're moving too fast and trying to hire a new one.”
Following an online survey that received nearly 1,300 responses, three major themes emerged. Respondents wanted someone who engages with the community, can recruit and retain quality staff, and will continue strong academic growth. But public attendance at these first two sessions at Rock Bridge and Hickman high schools was less than what MSBA hoped.
“They anticipated a really large turnout. I think that there were more people who were looking to run and foster communication than people who showed up,” Shattuck said.
CPS canceled in-person classes on Wednesday because of road conditions from inclement weather, but still went ahead with its in-person sessions.
“I was concerned why we did it when they canceled school and it's hard to get out and with the roads,” Rice said. “I think the turnout was lessened by that chance.”
Despite some concerns over the lack of participation, the session served as an opportunity for the public to have their voices heard.
“I'm grateful that they're doing this,” Shattuck said. “I think that that helps build back a little bit of trust and transparency to keep those doors back open.”
