Following the development of a Leadership Profile based on community input, the consultants hired by the Board of Education are now in the recruiting phase of the process to hire a new MMSD Superintendent.

Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), the firm contracted by the Board for the Superintendent search, are now "aggressively recruiting candidates for the position," according to the contract with the MMSD.

In addition to advertising nationally and regionally, HYA is making contacts throughout the nation advising prospective candidates and others knowledgeable about "emerging educational leaders with unusual talent and promise" of the MMSD vacancy.

"We want the best possible candidates to be aware of our opening and consider applying," said Board President Arlene Silveira. "It's valuable to have a nationally known consultant like HYA with us so they can make the contacts and encourage talented candidates to apply."

The candidates need to meet the characteristics developed by the consultants and adopted by the Board based on a series of community input sessions (240 persons were interviewed) and completed Leadership Profile Assessment forms (405).

The desired Superintendent characteristics — derived primarily from the sessions on September 19 and 20 — are listed here .

The full Leadership Profile Assessment as approved by the Board on October 8 is online and can be seen by clicking here .

HYA also completes other steps in the process:

• Receives and processes candidate applications
• Conducts reference checks
• Identifies best qualified candidates
• Interviews selected candidates

In January, the consultants will present five candidates to the Board for them to interview. The timeline indicates that the new Superintendent will be named in early February.

Current MMSD Superintendent Art Rainwater has announced that he will retire effective June 30, 2008. Appointment of a new Superintendent in February will allow for a detailed transition with Supt. Rainwater.