gardendale schools superintendent search community input
TRANSCRIPT
Meetings
Engagement Meeting Participants: Parents and Community – 12 Public Officials and Business Leaders – 8 School Administrators and Certified Staff – 11 School Support Staff - 0
Meeting Responses
Traits/Skills (Recurring Themes): • Visionary who can articulate the vision and build
support among stakeholders (i.e., employees, students, parents, community members)
• Innovator, forward thinker • Organizer (ability to organize a new district) • Instructionally focused on what is best for students • Communicator with all stakeholders • Listener, negotiator, and team builder who is accessible
Meeting Responses
Traits/Skills – (Recurring Themes): • Fiscally responsible • Community-minded • Ability to make informed, yet sometimes difficult
decisions • Holds self and others accountable • Experienced in leading successfully, whether that
means having been a prior superintendent or working closely with one
Meeting Responses
Challenges: • Keeping stakeholders informed throughout the
transition • Negotiating the Separation Agreement • Developing budget for new system and ensuring
adequate resources • Transitioning students and employees • Building support for the new district among all
stakeholders • Achieving excellence in all areas
Meeting Responses
Desired Changes to Strengthen District: • Lower class sizes, where needed • Allocate resources to meet school and teacher
curriculum needs, including technology • Improved communication • Improved academic performance • Better preparation of students for work/post-
secondary education • More community involvement
0.0%
0.4%
6.3%
7.2%
12.2%
23.2%
50.6%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Student living outside Gardendale
Student living in Gardendale
Parent/guardian of a student living outside Gardendale
Community member living outside Gardendale
Prospective employee of the Gardendale City Schools
Gardendale community member
Parent/guardian of a student living in Gardendale
Online Survey Respondents
4.60
4.64
4.69
4.71
4.71
4.71
4.77
4.82
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Monitoring and assessing curriculum and instruction
Maintaining and increasing student achievement
Creating a positive climate for employees
Preparing and managing dollar budgets, facilities and projects
Leading a well-performing school system
Effectively managing employees and their performance
Demonstrated effective communication ability
Ensuring student safety and discipline
Importance of successful experience in: [1st Tier - All Respondents]
3.91
4.09
4.13
4.44
4.49
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Cultivating partnerships with employee organizations
Leading in a diverse educational environment
Partnering with area business and industry
Leading innovation and technology initiatives
Successfully managing a school system of equal or larger size
Importance of successful experience in: [2nd and 3rd Tier - All Respondents]
4.62
4.63
4.67
4.69
4.73
4.75
4.78
4.79
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Monitoring and assessing curriculum and instruction
Maintaining and increasing student achievement
Effectively managing employees and their performance
Creating a positive climate for employees
Leading a well-performing school system
Demonstrated effective communication ability
Preparing and managing dollar budgets, facilities and projects
Ensuring student safety and discipline
Importance of successful experience in: [1st Tier - Parents ]
(Inside)
4.53
4.60
4.67
4.67
4.67
4.73
4.79
4.87
5.00
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Creating a positive climate for employees
Monitoring and assessing curriculum and instruction
Successfully managing a school system of equal or larger size
Maintaining and increasing student achievement
Demonstrated effective communication ability
Preparing and managing dollar budgets, facilities and projects
Leading a well-performing school system
Effectively managing employees and their performance
Ensuring student safety and discipline
Importance of successful experience in: [1st Tier - Parents]
(Outside)
4.52
4.55
4.59
4.59
4.72
4.76
4.86
4.86
4.90
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Preparing and managing dollar budgets, …
Leading innovation and technology …
Monitoring and assessing curriculum …
Maintaining and increasing student …
Leading a well-performing school system
Effectively managing employees and …
Ensuring student safety and discipline
Creating a positive climate for employees
Demonstrated effective communication …
Importance of successful experience in: [1st Tier - Prospective Employees]
4.36
4.49
4.56
4.57
4.64
4.65
4.67
4.67
4.71
4.80
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Leading innovation and technology initiatives
Successfully managing a school system of equal or larger size
Monitoring and assessing curriculum and instruction
Creating a positive climate for employees
Preparing and managing dollar budgets, facilities and projects
Leading a well-performing school system
Maintaining and increasing student achievement
Effectively managing employees and their performance
Demonstrated effective communication ability
Ensuring student safety and discipline
Importance of successful experience in: [1st Tier - Community]
(Inside)
4.59
4.71
4.71
4.76
4.88
4.88
4.88
4.88
4.94
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Monitoring and assessing curriculum …
Maintaining and increasing student …
Leading innovation and technology …
Preparing and managing dollar …
Leading a well-performing school system
Demonstrated effective communication …
Creating a positive climate for employees
Effectively managing employees and …
Ensuring student safety and discipline
Importance of successful experience in: [1st Tier - Community ]
(Outside)
37%
80%
47%
88%
86%
52%
16%
39%
10%
11%
11%
4%
13%
2%
3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Have a doctorate
Have a master's degree
Have served as a superintendent elsewhere
Have classroom instructional experience
Have administrative (assistant principal, principal, coordinator)
experience
The superintendent should: (All Responses)
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
31%
80%
46%
85%
84%
57%
18%
42%
12%
14%
12%
2%
13%
2%
2%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Have a doctorate
Have a master's degree
Have served as a superintendent elsewhere
Have classroom instructional experience
Have administrative (assistant principal, principal, coordinator)
experience
The superintendent should: (Parents – Inside)
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
21%
73%
53%
80%
87%
64%
20%
40%
13%
7%
14%
7%
7%
7%
7%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Have a doctorate
Have a master's degree
Have served as a superintendent elsewhere
Have classroom instructional experience
Have administrative (assistant principal, principal, coordinator)
experience
The superintendent should: (Parents – Outside)
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
45%
93%
38%
100%
100%
41%
7%
41%
0%
0%
14%
0%
21%
0%
0%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Have a doctorate
Have a master's degree
Have served as a superintendent elsewhere
Have classroom instructional experience
Have administrative (assistant principal, principal, coordinator)
experience
The superintendent should: (Prospective Employees)
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
49%
81%
49%
89%
89%
45%
17%
38%
9%
9%
5%
2%
13%
2%
2%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Have a doctorate
Have a master's degree
Have served as a superintendent elsewhere
Have classroom instructional experience
Have administrative (assistant principal, principal, coordinator)
experience
The superintendent should: (Community - Inside)
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
47%
76%
59%
94%
76%
47%
6%
29%
6%
24%
6%
18%
12%
0%
0%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Have a doctorate
Have a master's degree
Have served as a superintendent elsewhere
Have classroom instructional experience
Have administrative (assistant principal, principal,
coordinator) experience
The superintendent should: (Community - Outside)
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
5.2%
11.6%
13.7%
17.7%
20.1%
21.3%
22.9%
42.6%
43.0%
51.8%
55.4%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Raising the graduation rate
Planning for facility needs
Planning for future enrollment growth
Generating additional funding
Providing cutting edge technology across all instructional programs
Holding employees accountable
Proactively ensuring the safety of students and employees
Ensuring students are prepared for work and/or college
Raising academic achievement for all students
Managing finances for present and future needs
Negotiating the separation from Jefferson County
Most important or significant issue/challenge: (All Responses)
9.2%
16.7%
16.7%
16.7%
25.0%
25.0%
41.7%
41.7%
53.3%
58.3%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Planning for facility needs
Planning for future enrollment growth
Generating additional funding
Providing cutting edge technology across all instructional programs
Holding employees accountable
Proactively ensuring the safety of students and employees
Ensuring students are prepared for work and/or college
Raising academic achievement for all students
Managing finances for present and future needs
Negotiating the separation from Jefferson County
Most important or significant issue/challenge: (Parents – Inside)
6.7%
6.7%
6.7%
13.3%
20.0%
20.0%
40.0%
40.0%
40.0%
40.0%
53.3%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Planning for future enrollment growth
Planning for facility needs
Raising the graduation rate
Generating additional funding
Holding employees accountable
Providing cutting edge technology across all instructional programs
Negotiating the separation from Jefferson County
Raising academic achievement for all students
Managing finances for present and future needs
Proactively ensuring the safety of students and employees
Ensuring students are prepared for work and/or college
Most important or significant issue/challenge: (Parents – Outside)
0.0%
7.1%
7.1%
17.9%
21.4%
25.0%
25.0%
32.1%
35.7%
57.1%
71.4%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Raising the graduation rate
Planning for future enrollment growth
Holding employees accountable
Proactively ensuring the safety of students and employees
Raising academic achievement for all students
Ensuring students are prepared for work and/or college
Generating additional funding
Providing cutting edge technology across all instructional programs
Planning for facility needs
Negotiating the separation from Jefferson County
Managing finances for present and future needs
Most important or significant issue/challenge: (Prospective Employees)
3.6%
9.1%
10.9%
14.5%
14.5%
18.2%
20.0%
41.8%
43.6%
56.4%
60.0%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Planning for facility needs
Raising the graduation rate
Planning for future enrollment growth
Generating additional funding
Providing cutting edge technology across all instructional programs
Proactively ensuring the safety of students and employees
Holding employees accountable
Managing finances for present and future needs
Ensuring students are prepared for work and/or college
Negotiating the separation from Jefferson County
Raising academic achievement for all students
The most important or significant issue/challenge: (Community – Inside)
5.9%
17.6%
23.5%
23.5%
23.5%
29.4%
29.4%
29.4%
47.1%
47.1%
58.8%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Raising the graduation rate
Planning for facility needs
Planning for future enrollment growth
Holding employees accountable
Proactively ensuring the safety of students and employees
Generating additional funding
Raising academic achievement for all students
Providing cutting edge technology across all instructional programs
Negotiating the separation from Jefferson County
Ensuring students are prepared for work and/or college
Managing finances for present and future needs
Most important or significant issue/challenge: (Community – Outside)
4.47
4.53
4.58
4.63
4.63
4.66
4.78
4.87
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Innovative: Seeks new ideas, comfortable with change
Collaborative: Seeks out relationships, builds strong teams, is inclusive, forms partnerships
Strategic Thinker: Change agent who has successfully set and achieved goals to solve significant problems
Knowledgeable of Laws: Knows Alabama and federal education laws
Successful Educator: Has a proven record for closing achievement gaps, understands the education process, has a
passion for learning and helping students achieve at high levels
Executive Ability: Understands recruiting, skilled at matching employees' skills with specific jobs, able to remove
unsuccessful employees, experienced at training future leaders
Articulate: Communicates effectively with others
Accountable: Takes responsibility and accepts consequences
Most important attributes: (All Responses)
4.08
4.12
4.40
4.50
4.53
4.55
4.60
4.64
4.75
4.83
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Friendly: Shows kindness and warmth
Comfortable with Diversity: Can establish and maintain relationships with diverse populations.
Innovative: Seeks new ideas, comfortable with change
Collaborative: Seeks out relationships, builds strong teams, is inclusive, forms partnerships
Successful Educator: Has a proven record for closing achievement gaps, understands the education process, has a passion for learning
and helping students achieve at high levels
Strategic Thinker: Change agent who has successfully set and achieved goals to solve significant problems
Knowledgeable of Laws: Knows Alabama and federal education laws
Executive Ability: Understands recruiting, skilled at matching employees' skills with specific jobs, able to remove unsuccessful
employees, experienced at training future leaders
Articulate: Communicates effectively with others
Accountable: Takes responsibility and accepts consequences
Most important attributes: (Parents – Inside)
4.93
4.79
4.27
4.07
4.80
4.00
4.60
4.47
4.53
4.60
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Accountable: Takes responsibility and accepts consequences
Articulate: Communicates effectively with others
Collaborative: Seeks out relationships, builds strong teams, is inclusive, forms partnerships
Comfortable with Diversity: Can establish and maintain relationships with diverse populations.
Executive Ability: Understands recruiting, skilled at matching employees' skills with specific jobs, able to
remove unsuccessful employees, experienced at training …
Friendly: Shows kindness and warmth
Innovative: Seeks new ideas, comfortable with change
Knowledgeable of Laws: Knows Alabama and federal education laws
Strategic Thinker: Change agent who has successfully set and achieved goals to solve significant problems
Successful Educator: Has a proven record for closing achievement gaps, understands the education process,
has a passion for learning and helping students achieve …
Most important attributes: (Parents – Outside)
4.34
4.48
4.62
4.62
4.66
4.69
4.76
4.86
4.90
4.90
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Comfortable with Diversity: Can establish and maintain relationships with diverse populations.
Executive Ability: Understands recruiting, skilled at matching employees' skills with specific jobs, able to remove
unsuccessful employees, experienced at training future …
Friendly: Shows kindness and warmth
Innovative: Seeks new ideas, comfortable with change
Strategic Thinker: Change agent who has successfully set and achieved goals to solve significant problems
Collaborative: Seeks out relationships, builds strong teams, is inclusive, forms partnerships
Successful Educator: Has a proven record for closing achievement gaps, understands the education process, has
a passion for learning and helping students achieve at high …
Articulate: Communicates effectively with others
Accountable: Takes responsibility and accepts consequences
Knowledgeable of Laws: Knows Alabama and federal education laws
Most important attributes: (Prospective Employees)
4.18
4.22
4.40
4.54
4.56
4.64
4.75
4.80
4.82
4.95
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Friendly: Shows kindness and warmth
Comfortable with Diversity: Can establish and maintain relationships with diverse populations.
Innovative: Seeks new ideas, comfortable with change
Collaborative: Seeks out relationships, builds strong teams, is inclusive, forms partnerships
Strategic Thinker: Change agent who has successfully set and achieved goals to solve significant problems
Knowledgeable of Laws: Knows Alabama and federal education laws
Executive Ability: Understands recruiting, skilled at matching employees' skills with specific jobs, able to remove unsuccessful
employees, experienced at training future leaders
Articulate: Communicates effectively with others
Successful Educator: Has a proven record for closing achievement gaps, understands the education process, has a passion for learning
and helping students achieve at high levels
Accountable: Takes responsibility and accepts consequences
Most important attributes: (Community – Inside)
4.35
4.47
4.59
4.59
4.59
4.71
4.76
4.76
4.76
4.82
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Comfortable with Diversity: Can establish and maintain relationships with diverse populations.
Knowledgeable of Laws: Knows Alabama and federal education laws
Executive Ability: Understands recruiting, skilled at matching employees' skills with specific jobs, able to remove …
Friendly: Shows kindness and warmth
Successful Educator: Has a proven record for closing achievement gaps, understands the education process, …
Innovative: Seeks new ideas, comfortable with change
Articulate: Communicates effectively with others
Collaborative: Seeks out relationships, builds strong teams, is inclusive, forms partnerships
Strategic Thinker: Change agent who has successfully set and achieved goals to solve significant problems
Accountable: Takes responsibility and accepts consequences
Most important attributes: (Community – Outside)