Richfield Begins Search for New Superintendent

With Dr. Bob Slotterback retiring at the end of the school year, Richfield Public Schools is beginning its search for its next superintendent.

The following letter was addressed to residents and posted on the district's website:

Dear Richfield Public Schools Stakeholders:
 
To begin the process of selecting a new Superintendent, the Richfield Public Schools Board of Education has contracted with School Exec Connect, a superintendent search firm, to assist with the search for the new superintendent. Board members want you to be informed of the process we will be following as we conduct the search. Additionally, we hope that you will give your input to assist us in making the best selection possible.
 
To begin the process, the School Exec Connect consultants, Dr. Kenneth (Ken) Dragseth, Mr. Robert (Bob) Ostlund, Dr. Antoinette (Toni) Johns and Dr. Charles Kyte, will meet with board members, school staff, parents, students and community members individually and in focus groups in the next couple of weeks to determine the strengths, challenges, goals for our district and the characteristics or skills you would like to see in a superintendent. Additionally, our staff and community members will have the opportunity to give confidential written feedback to the consultants via a link from our district website. Using this information, we will develop a profile of the desired skills and characteristics in the next superintendent.
 
The position will be advertised and candidates will be recruited nationally from November 13 – February 3, 2014. On February 10, the Board and consultants will meet to review and select candidates to be initially interviewed. The Board will interview five or six recommended candidates on February 13 and narrow the field to two or three finalists on February 13. The next round of individual interviews will occur on February 24, 25 and 26 if needed. Each candidate will be invited for an all-day interview process including open forums that will be available to staff, students, community members and a final formal Board interview. The Board will ask staff, students and community to provide input into the selection, by participating in an open question and answer session with each candidate and filling in a feedback sheet to be shared with the Board.  We plan to act on the new superintendent’s contract in March. 
 
You may choose to give your confidential feedback to us by accessing the links below and completing the Survey.

English  Click here to take survey

Spanish Click here to take survey ​

All replies will be confidential. Please submit feedback by December 9. Please feel free to contact Ken Dragseth (952-210-2790), Bob Ostlund (612-308-8997), Toni Johns (612-309-1511) or Charles Kyte (651-247-6505), if you have any questions regarding the search. We look forward to your assistance in this search process and believe that your input will help us make the best possible choice for your next superintendent.
          
Sincerely,
 
Board of Education,
Richfield Public Schools

The school board will meet for its first regular meeting of December Monday night, where it will hold its annual truth-in-taxation meeting. For more information on school board meetings, visit the district's website.

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