By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The public will get a chance to weigh in on the selection of the next superintendent for Bowling Green City Schools.
The community is invited to attend a focus group meeting on March 8, at 6 p.m., in the auditorium of the Performing Arts Center, 540 W. Poe Road.
The Bowling Green Board of Education has contracted with the Ohio School Boards Association to assist in the search for a new superintendent, Board President Ryan Myers said during Tuesday’s board meeting.
The new superintendent will replace Francis Scruci, who has announced he will retire at the end of July.
The board hopes to complete the search in the spring and announce the name of the new superintendent in early May, Myers said.
In an effort to make the best selection, the board has asked OSBA consultant Cheryl Ryan to meet with staff and the community in several focus groups on March 8. The focus groups are intended to help with the profile to be developed for the district’s next leader.
Common themes will help as the board evaluates potential candidates, according to a press release from the district. The one-hour long conversations will focus on gathering perspectives in three main areas:
- Major issues, challenges or opportunities for the district.
- Performance experience or expectations for the next superintendent.
- Leadership characteristics that should be evident in the next superintendent.
Applications will be accepted until March 29, and the board plans to interview the top candidates for the job in April, Myers said.
In other business at Tuesday’s board meeting, Myers reported that Friday is the deadline for the district’s request for qualifications of architects to study building needs.
The board also entered an agreement to contract with David Conley of Rockmill Financial Consulting to provide services such as identifying new and existing revenues available to the taxpayers of the district which may be captured to reduce or offset the future cost of school operations and facilities.
The consulting contract is on an as-needed basis, with a rate of $335 an hour plus an initial fee of $3,350.
