Photos by Marcy Stamper
By Marcy Stamper
The Methow Valley’s next school superintendent will ideally focus on innovative teaching, engage students at all levels and needs – including preparation for kindergarten – and combine a holistic view of children, with a reliance on data.
After meeting with more than 60 members of the public, about 50 teachers and staff, and receiving more written input, the Methow Valley School Board directors have finalized the list of qualifications for a new superintendent. The directors are looking for someone to implement the district’s strategic plan – encouraging excellence in students and preparing them for life-long learning – and to develop that plan further.
Seventy people signed a list entitled “Necessary Attributes of an Extraordinary Superintendent” compiled by a smaller group of parents and families who met before the district’s public forum. At the top of their list is a person who “finds joy in children” and who is actively involved in the schools.
They also emphasized the desire for someone who appreciates all learning styles and needs, including special education and the needs of gifted students. Hanz Scholz, a parent of two schoolchildren, presented the list to the board at the public forum on Wednesday, March 27, and urged that the district aim for world-class education.
Several speakers at the public meeting recommended that the directors be open to candidates without advanced degrees and take a chance on someone with a different background. The directors indicated they would be open to applicants from many backgrounds. “That’s why every one of us wants to see every single application, because sometimes the best applicant doesn’t come in a box,” said director Don Calvert.
Most speakers at the meeting praised the district for its achievements, but several cautioned the district against resting on its laurels.
“Whether you’re at the top or bottom of the heap, you need to look for a change agent, not just someone who’s building on what’s already there,” said Jeff Patterson, a parent of three children in the district.
Jill Sheley, who has two children in second grade, noted that the board faces a tremendous challenge. “We have a great program but need to upset the apple cart and try new models,” she said.
Barry Stromberger, a member of the district’s facilities committee, a former maintenance technician for the district and current vocational instructor, stressed that finding someone who will concentrate on the district’s facilities is as important as academics. Stromberger also urged the board to include career and technical education in its planning.
Stromberger had a word of caution for the board, following repeated changes in educational systems. “I want someone willing to stay the course so we don’t have to start all over again – the staff spends a lot of time adapting to new requirements – I can almost guarantee you’ll lose staff because they’ll be fed up with taking time away from the classroom,” he said.
Setting priorities
The district has adopted a new framework for teaching and learning (a state requirement) as well as more rigorous federal standards, leading up to new proficiency tests starting in 2016, according to outgoing superintendent Mark Wenzel, who will become the Anacortes School District superintendent on July 1.
Most teachers said they like the current direction of the district and want to see it continue, said board chair Dana Stromberger. (Dana and Barry Stromberger are married.)
Shannon Skibiness, a parent of three children in the district, suggested the board consider a model such as the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition (RISC), an individualized approach to education based on students’ performance rather than age.
“We have great teachers and good scores, but I want to see kids’ ownership in their own learning, said Skibiness. Skibiness pointed to the work done by John Caesar, a former valley resident and swim coach, in promoting the RISC model around the country. “Kids are excited about learning” under RISC, while the Methow is “entrenched in the old system,” said Skibiness. “It’s not the teachers’ fault – it’s the system.”
One speaker said that a candidate’s personal interests – such as enthusiasm for mountain biking or skiing that would create a long-term commitment to the Methow – could be as important as professional experience.
Two high school students shared their ideas about qualifications for the district’s leader. Junior David Dinsmore said it is important to have a superintendent who interacts with all students. Junior Sierra Tetreault said she wants to see rules enforced evenly for all students.
After getting all the feedback, the board “worked really hard” and modified the list of qualifications to reflect the views of the community as a whole, said Dana Stromberger.
Among the priorities are a good communicator who is conscious of the socio-economic diversity of the community, an emphasis on character development, and fiscal-management skills. Key traits include a passion for learning; openness to input from faculty, staff, families and the community; and a creative problem-solver. The final list states the board’s preference for someone with a doctorate and with teaching experience.
In addition, two questions will help the board assess applicants’ writing skills and provide deeper insights into their priorities and understanding of the community and its needs.
The directors will take into account other suggestions from the public in their review of applications and interviews, according to director Mary Anne Quigley.
The job has been posted and applications will be accepted through May 3. The district’s consultant, Monte Bridges, will provide an initial screening report the following week. The board plans to interview half-a-dozen candidates, probably on May 23, and will hold interviews with the finalists from May 29 through 31. The initial interviews will be during executive session, but interviews with the finalists will be open to all interested members of the public.
The final list of qualifications and a brochure are on the district’s website at http://methow.org.
