BOE outlines superintendent search process, feedback opportunities

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — In August 2018, South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education launched the search for South Orange-Maplewood School District’s next superintendent, and hired William Librera of West Hudson Associates as the superintendent search consultant to assist in the search process.

According to a press release from the district, the board chose Librera based on his expertise as an educational leader, and his two decades of experience as a search consultant, both nationally and within the state of New Jersey. Librera is a former N.J. commissioner of education and served as principal of Columbia High School from 1980 to 1983, before serving as superintendent of four different school districts, including Montclair.

Over the next several months, the board plans to engage in the following search process to hire a superintendent:

• In September and October 2018: Develop a candidate profile utilizing inputs from community, parents and staff. The board plans to finalize the profile and search criteria by the end of October, and share with the community.
• November 2018: Place advertising for superintendent position in key publications and outlets.
• Winter 2018-2019: Screen candidates, including reviewing resumes, to narrow candidate pool, and conduct interviews of candidates.
• Spring 2019: Implement final selection of a superintendent, including reference checks, community engagement and final selection. The board’s goal is to appoint a new superintendent in spring 2019.

As this process is undertaken, the community is encouraged to share input with the board to help define the ideal candidate profile. In order to collect public input, the district has launched an online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/RXPWQ2B that will remain open through Oct. 11.

Additionally, there will be three open community meetings facilitated by Librera: Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 7 to 10 p.m. at South Orange Middle School, 70 N. Ridgewood Road in South Orange; Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Seth Boyden School, 274 Boyden Ave. in Maplewood; and Tuesday, Oct. 9, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Maplewood Middle School, 7 Burnet St. in Maplewood. The district will also be holding forums facilitated by Librera for district staff and Columbia High School students to provide input.

Editor’s note: This post was altered to reflect a date change to the final community meeting, which is now Oct. 9 instead of Oct. 2.

  Columbia High School, Maplewood Middle School, Seth Boyden, SOMA Board of Education, South Orange Middle School, South Orange–Maplewood School District