WJCC Board Outlines Superintendent Search

By Amber Lester Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The Williamsburg-James City County School Board has set a timeline for its search for the next division superintendent.

Beginning in September, the board will conduct a public survey and a public forum to find out what citizens would like to see in the next superintendent. The surveys will be posted online, with hard copies available at each school, public library and other areas to be determined. Links to the survey will also be shared on the division’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

The surveys will be released between Sept. 7 and 16. On Sept. 14, the board will host a public forum at 7 p.m. at Lafayette High School. On Sept. 20, the board will draft a vacancy announcement using the criteria gathered from the public.

On Sept. 25, a Saturday, the Citizens for Education will also host a community conversation inviting citizens to share what characteristics they would like to see in a superintendent. The time and location are to be determined.

From Sept. 20 to Oct. 16, the vacancy announcement will be placed online and distributed. On Oct. 21, the board will meet with the Virginia School Board Association to review applications and will conduct interviews throughout November and December. A candidate should be selected by late December.

The board is searching for a superintendent to replace Gary Mathews, who took a position in Newton County, Ga. earlier this year. Director of Finance Scott Burckbuchler is currently serving as the acting superintendent until the position is filled.

In May, the board met with VSBA Executive Director Frank Barham and Assistant Executive Director Gina Patterson to hammer out the details of how to conduct the search. With VSBA’s advice, the board agreed to keep candidates’ names private, so they won’t decide to withdraw from the race. They also agreed to invite in-house applicants and guarantee interviews for current employees. Read more about the search here.