PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend School Board has hired a consultant to manage the search for a new superintendent.
John Fotheringham of Northwest Leadership Associates, hired on Monday, is preparing an application packet and soliciting potential candidates from his personal and professional databases.
“There are some good candidates out there,” Fotheringham said, adding that he predicts that as many as 20 qualified candidates will apply.
“We will let them know this job is available and get them to apply by emphasizing the positive aspects of both the community and the school district.”
The new superintendent will replace Tom Opstad, who announced in March that he will lead the Aberdeen School District next school year after five years in Port Townsend.
His last day with the Port Townsend district will be June 30.
The process is following an ambitious timetable, imposing a May 2 application deadline with the expectation of having the new superintendent in place on July 1.
The application cycle includes selection of semifinalists by May 8 and of three finalists by May 17.
At that point the selection process will become public, with plans in place for the finalists to meet the community.
Salary to be negotiated
The salary for the next superintendent will be negotiated in light of experience and the size of the district the person had worked for.
Opstad makes $114,759 annually.
Fotheringham said that candidates will be examined for their experience, as well as their ability to serve as role models.
For that reason, a finalist won’t have what Fotheringham describes as “bad habits.”
“We look very carefully at the success of their past achievements,” he said. “We look to see if they have ever been in any bad personal or financial situations.
“If they aren’t capable of making smart fiduciary decisions in their own lives, they won’t be able to run a school district,” he said.
“And if they are slobs somewhere else, they will be slobs in Port Townsend.”
Public comment
The public is encouraged to weigh in on the selection process.
An online survey has been created that will give all community members an opportunity to share their views about the strengths and challenges in the district as well as qualities that they would like to see in our new superintendent.
The survey can be accessed on the district’s Web site at www.ptschools.com.
A community meeting is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 27 in the Port Townsend High School library at 500 Van Ness St.
This meeting — which is open to students, staff and community members — will be focused on discussing the qualities the public would like to see in the new superintendent.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant @peninsuladailynews.com.
