PVHRSD—An online community survey and an in-person community forum will take place over the next few weeks as Pascack Valley Regional High School District school officials and a search consultant begin the process for acquiring public input about a new superintendent.
Moreover, school officials said a search timeline will likely be finalized by the district’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 3, 2022. A prior consultant timeline showed a five-month search was likely before a superintendent candidate was selected.
Board trustees recently hired a consulting firm, Strategic Educational Advantage LLC of River Edge, for $17,500 to assist their superintendent search.
While $17,500 covers most search services, other possible costs include translating online public surveys from a foreign language back to English for data purposes ($1,500); and printing/advertising costs, plus additional consultant time if needed ($500 per session).
The proposal states the board’s expected expenses for translating, extra consultation , and printing/advertising “should not exceed $2,500.”
Former superintendent P. Erik Gundersen tendered his resignation on April 21 after 27 years of service to the district, and accepted a contract as superintendent with the Suffern, N.Y. school district starting July 1 at a base salary of $265,000.
The board appointed Dr. Daniel Fishbein this summer to serve as interim superintendent.
On its website, the district announced the ongoing hiring activities and need for community input. A link to the community survey can be found there.
“Dr. Michael Kuchar and Dr. Frank Auriemma (of Strategic Educational Advantage) will be leading the search process, which includes conducting focus group interviews, surveying the community, and hosting an Open House Community Forum, assuring the community has multiple ways to provide input as the search firm develops a candidate profile,” said the district website.
The website offers links to the 18-question online survey, with a due date of Friday, Jan. 7.
The forum is scheduled for Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Pascack Valley High School’s auditorium.
District spokesman Paul Zeller said the Jan. 5 forum will be in-person only and not available via livestreaming or archived for later viewing on YouTube.
Pascack Press obtained a copy of the consultant contract on Dec. 10. In its proposal of work, Strategic Educational Advantage lists “four critical factors” that it adds to every search:
- Extensive experience recruiting talented school leaders in New York and New Jersey;
- Will spend the time needed with Board, staff and community to develop a “candidate profile” unique to the district;
- Perform detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis on stakeholders’ input to create a concise candidate profile; and
- Awareness of current school district’s climate, including equity and transparency, and balancing such needs with candidates’ needs for confidentiality.
“We stand behind our work and if we need to re-open the search within two years, SEA will do so at no cost to the (district),” states the search consultant.
The proposed search process described includes step for planning, criteria development, recruitment, selection, and appointment.
Under the agreement’s “Communications With the Board” section, the consultant lists “the formal and informal” communication expectations for this search and lists 12 items to be undertaken, including staff, parent and community forums; a consultant oral report on the Leadership Profile findings at a public meeting; meeting with the board after candidate interviews to debrief and select semi-finalist candidates; and provide progress reports to the BOE president and SEA search consultants will be accessible via phone, Zoom, and email as needed.