Search starts for McRae's replacement
By Kathi Keys
Staff Writer, The Courier-Tribune
ASHEBORO - The search is officially under way for Randolph County Schools'
next superintendent to replace retiring Superintendent Dr. Bob McRae.
In the first 10 days of the vacancy being posted, three applications
and 12 inquiries were received about the position.
"These are what I would call serious inquiries. There has been a
good, positive response," Dr. Frances Jones told the Randolph County
Board of Education last week.
Jones, executive director of the Piedmont Education Consortium, is conducting
the search process for the school board as she did four years ago when Worth
Hatley retired.
Deadline for applications is Feb. 15, 2005. The school board hopes to
make a decision by the week of April 11.
The public will be invited to become involved in the process during January
and February.
There will be forms available in January for public input on what qualities,
traits and attributes they want their next county schools superintendent
to have. These will be provided at different locations throughout the county,
including libraries and local chambers of commerce.
And public forums for further input also will be held in February at
each of the four county high schools.
Further details about availability of the forms and their dates and locations
on Feb. 8, 10, 15 and 17 will be announced in the near future.
Jones told the school board Dec. 20 that the superintendency vacancy
was distributed to all 115 school districts in the state, including the
Randolph County system, as well as universities with doctorate programs
in school administration. It was also emailed to all superintendents and
personnel directors throughout the state and school officials in both South
Carolina and Virginia.
It was posted on statewide association websites - those of the N.C. School
Administrators Association (NCSAA) and the N.C. School Boards Association
(NCSBA).
The announcement states that the local school board "invites experienced
educational leaders with a solid record of achievement to apply for the
superintendency" of Randolph County's largest employer.
"Attributes of the school district include commendable student academic
achievement based on a commitment to continuous improvement, quality buildings
beautifully maintained with technological access, supportive parents and
business community and a superior staff that focuses on concern for every
student."
Qualifications include successful experience in school-based and central
office administration; a high level of character, honesty and integrity;
the ability to cultivate and build trust; a strong record of improving student
performance; and the ability to articulate a vision for the district.
Other qualifications include superior leadership and managerial abilities
in the areas of planning, instruction, finance, personnel and facility construction;
someone who has strong communication skills and is a consensus builder willing
to work with many constituencies.
Applicants must hold or be eligible for state certification as a superintendent
and have an earned doctorate in education or possess equivalent experience.
The Randolph County superintendency vacancy is posted on the NCSAA website
along with one for Chatham County, where Dr. Larry Mabe is also retiring,
and openings in Ohio and the State of Washington.
On the NCSBA website, the Randolph announcement is posted with ones from
both Chatham and Rockingham counties as well as out-of-state locations such
as Georgia.
The Chatham applications are due by Jan. 10, Rockingham ones by Feb.
1.
Randolph County's school system is the largest of the three counties
in the state currently seeking a superintendent for next year.
Randolph serves 18,200 students in 28 schools while Rockingham County
has 15,000 students in 25 schools and Chatham's 7,100 students attend 15
schools.
Randolph's McRae announced in September that he planned to retire in
June 2005 after four years in the top post. His official retirement is now
Dec. 31 and he will continue to serve as superintendent through next spring.
After the closing of the application process, the school board will start
reviewing applications and in early March begin interviewing selected applicants.
Four years ago the county received 20 applications for the top post.
The full school board interviewed seven candidates from which three were
chosen for final consideration.
Copyright 2002, Stephens Media Group
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