Curmudgeon's Corner
cur-mud-geon: anyone who hates hypocrisy and pretense and has the temerity to say so; anyone with the habit of pointing out unpleasant facts in an engaging and humorous manner
Superintendent Search...
It was reported a week ago that the school board had interviewed the desired applicants and narrowed the field to three 'finalists'. Sources indicate that while three of the six who were interviewed were to be invited for a follow-up interview, none were labeled as 'finalists' at this point contrary to press reports.
Seventeen people responded with indications of interest in the position being vacated by Victor Rossetti on June 30th. A handful were or had been superintendents and the balance were principals and/or human resource directors who were seeking the position as their next step up the leadership ladder.
Some on the board are concerned with the relatively small level of respondents for this position and wonder why that was the case. Reports indicate that there are more open positions than qualified candidates across Wisconsin. Was it due to the fact that the Germantown district does not pay as much as other districts? Was it due to the recent vote on a new elementary school building initiative? Is it due to the size of the district? Is there something else at work that caused such a small initial response?
Given the fact that there were few sitting or experienced superintendents seeking our position, are we now faced with finding the best candidate without that level of initial experience and bringing her or him into the district? Will the citizens support that approach or will they demand that Germantown keep interviewing until it finds an experienced and willing candidate who has no negative baggage.
If you were a member of the board and were faced with this open position, what do you think is most important? Would you be willing to seek out the best candidate without actual experience? Would you be willing to "take a chance" on a candidate that seems to have everything but experience? Would you be looking for that next Jennifer Semmann or would you be content with the best of the lot that appears available to you? Would you broaden the search if possible?
Please share your thoughts. This is a very important position and the person selected will participate in shaping our community's future.
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