The Board of Education has begun its search in earnest for a permanent superintendent of schools, with hopes of deciding on qualified candidates at the end of December.
An advertisement is on the district’s website, and the public is invited to a community forum Monday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Oxford High School media center.
The event is a parent and community focus group, said interim Superintendent James A. Connelly, whose contract expires at the end of December.
“The board (of education) is doing it (the superintendent search) themselves, rather than hire a search consultant, and the other part is to bring someone in to Oxford to meet with various groups of the community to find what the community needs, what background, attributes and leadership style they are looking for,” Connelly told the Valley Indy.
Connelly said he has no interest in the full-time position and is working as an interim only. He has filled in since August for Judith Palmer, whose departure followed controversy over Palmer’s contract and evaluations.
School board chairman Rose McKinnon said the board wants to hear from people.
McKinnon emphasized the “inclusiveness” of the process.
“I appointed everyone on the school board to the superintendent search committee,” McKinnon said.
It will be a competitive process. “I know we’re in competition with several towns,” she said.
One matter to clear up is how much to offer the new hire, in terms of pay.
“Right now we are in decision mode,” McKinnon said.
The advertisement describes Oxford as a fast-growing town, sprouting from a population of 2,500 10 years ago to 12,321 today. It points out the Oxford Public Schools serve 2,200 students pre-K-12 in four sites, with a district budget of $25.4 million.
There are 173 certified staff and 98 other employees for a total of 271 staff members.
The ad refers to a multi-year contract offer and a start date of January 2011.
The closing date for response to the ad is Dec. 3, roughly a month from now.
For additional information and an application, please go to Oxford Public School’s website.
