Searching for superintendents

A number of Sullivan County school districts have begun the process of finding replacements for September

By RICHARD A. ROSS

FERNDALE, NY — Though this school year is far from over, the dominant subject of conversation is what looms for the 2003-2004 school year. While school boards are facing unprecedented budget cuts, a number of local districts are also focusing on hiring new superintendents. According to BOCES Superintendent Dr. Martin Handler, the process of finding a qualified and suitable person for the position of superintendent is something BOCES can help with.

At present Liberty, Livingston Manor and Fallsburg have all enlisted BOCES help in initiating and proceeding with a search for replacements. This service is provided free of charge to districts. An open posting of the anticipated vacancy followed by a statewide and nationwide advertisement initiates the process of accepting applications. The only costs to the districts are for printing and advertising.

When school districts seek to hire a new superintendent, they have various options they can pursue. They can employ BOCES services, hire a paid consultant, employ the services of the NYS School Board Association or pursue the search on their own.

According to Handler, the BOCES process may take between five to seven months to complete. He said that there is no shortage of qualified applicants for these jobs. Liberty began with 32 applicants.

To make the process more workable, BOCES screens the applicants and usually recommends a list of finalists to the districts. They are in no way bound by BOCES suggestions. Liberty, which began with 32, is down to its final applicants at this time. In Livingston Manor, there were 38 applicants. Those applications have been closed and according to principal Debra Lynker, the number is now down to six. She is still being considered as a replacement for retiring superintendent Dr. Kenneth Gray.

Fallsburg has just opened its search. Advertisements were placed only last week.

In Eldred, where superintendent Candace Mazur is retiring as of September 1, the board has not yet decided on the process to replace her. They have contacted the New York State School Boards Association. According to Mazur, “The option of using BOCES remains an attractive one due to the fact that it is free.” How Eldred will replace Mazur will be on the agenda at the next board meeting.

As for Sullivan West, the process could begin any time within the next year and a half. According to Handler, it is “premature to discuss this at this time.” 

Sullivan West will be in the market for a new superintendent to replace Johndrow whose contract expires at the close of the 2004 school year.

Traditionally, superintendents can leave before their contract expires by giving 60 days notice. If Johndrow were to leave in the near future, Sullivan West might have to hire an interim superintendent until a search could be completed. BOCES is prepared to help in that search whenever it becomes necessary.