Board Calls for Public Input in Superintendent Search

Newark Unified School Board of Education is seeking public input in its superintendent search.

The five-member board will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the district office, 5715 Musick Ave.

Individuals will be allowed to make public comments before and after the agenda item regarding the board's superintendent search that states that the board "is seeking stakeholder input and comment to assist them in their search for a Superintendent for the Newark Unified School District."

The superintendent position becomes vacant when becomes effective on July 1.

Board President Charlie Mensinger said Thursday's will be the first of a series of meetings in which the board will seek community input during the search process.

"This is what it's all about. We're getting community input for the qualities of a superintendent," said Mensinger, who said the process is "a bit out of order" since the board did meet last Friday to interview a candidate.

At the May 6 meeting, four board members attended the to interview superintendent candidates. Board member Janice Schaefer was absent from the meeting.

In that meeting, a handful of parents and school employees in which they will go about finding a new superintendent.

Susan Eustice, a retired Newark Unified employee, told the board that day that she felt having the meeting at a residence "was a mistake" and that the board "need(s) to get input from the public and the unions."

Mensinger said Friday's meeting came together quickly after candidates he called "very qualified" approached the district with interest. He added that the board did not intend to act secretively but wanted to protect the candidates' confidentiality.

No action was taken at the May 6 special board meeting, according to Mensinger. The board is planning on further discussing the topic at its regular board meeting on May 17, he added.

Indiviuals who want to speak during Thursday's board meeting will be required to complete a speaker card. For more information or to see the agenda, see the attached PDF or visit the website here.

Editor's Note: Updated as of 12:35 p.m. on Tuesday to include comments from Board President Charlie Mensinger about Thursday's board meeting.