Public Input Phase Ending in District 308's Superintendent Search

The firm hired to find a replacement for Superintendent Dan O’Donnell is wrapping up the community input portion of the search process. 

Stakeholder focus groups met with representatives from the Cedar Rapids, IA-based Ray and Associates on Monday and Tuesday, when about 100 people gave input on what qualities they want in a new superintendent.

“The focus groups were very well attended and those that participated were extremely vocal and honest about what they want,” said the firm's corporate director Ryan Ray, who led a community forum attended by nine people Wednesday night at . 

The School Board will hold a special meeting at 8 p.m. Wednesday at with Ray and Associates to discuss the candidate profile developed from the Wednesday forum, stakeholder focus groups and about 350 anonymous online surveys.

After that meeting, the firm will send the profile to its associates across the country who will begin recruiting potential candidates.

“You really don’t want a candidate who is searching the want ads,” Ray said.  “You want the best candidates who are already in positions. That’s what recruitment is all about.”

A list of several candidates will be brought to the board in May and interviews will be conducted. The board will narrow the prospects and conduct another round of interviews.

Whether the final candidates will meet with the community has yet to be determined. Ray said that part of the process is at the discretion of the board.

The final decision likely will come in June, Ray said. O’Donnell’s last day with the district is June 30. , citing differences with the members of the board majority.

The board is also looking to find replacements for retiring assistant superintendent Marsha Hollis and two other high-ranking administrators— and .