Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Search Committee members selected

Dear Archway Community,

The meetings with Bob Fricker to gather information from the community of Archway and thus create a head profile candidate have been very successful and informative. If you were not able to attend a meeting, you can answer the following questions and email them to me at  tonyahersch1@earthlink.net or directly to Bob Fricker at rfricker@edu-directions.com . Please send them on as soon as possible, so they can be included.

1. What four or five words best describe the uniqueness of the Archway School? Looking to the future, what aspects of Archway should never change?

2. Please identify 3 to 5 priorities that you hope the new Head of School will address in his/her initial 3-5 years?

3. What leadership qualities, educational experiences and personality traits are essential for the next Head of School?

It is with deep respect that I introduce our Search Committee members. They have graciously taken on this endeavor even after they were made aware of the incredible time commitment. Each has been a part of the Archway community for several years, generously dedicating time, skills, and effort to the school. The committee is just a little larger than originally planned. Because many trustees are also parents, there was some concern that the Search Committee needed more voices from staff and faculty. Although all trustees have committed and pledged to focus on the long term needs of the school without regard for their parent or non-parent status, it was very important that staff and faculty play an integral role in the search process. To that end, two additional spots were created for staff and faculty. It is a wonderful group of people, who have already engaged in this process with great sincerity and optimism.

Our Search Committee members are as follows:

Barry Turner: Second Grade Teacher

CJ Lee: Third Grade Teacher

Shauna Sullivan: Fifth Grade Teacher

Melissa Castello: Lower Head

Bridget Rivezzo: Development Director

David Dawson: Archway Parent

Thom Kwiatkowski: Archway Parent

Jackie Lemoine: Board Chair

Shoshana Winkelstein: ARC Chair

Dean Fusco: Board Treasurer

Pam Hawk: Board Facilities Chair

Tonya Hersch: Search Chair; COT Chair

Every effort will be made to keep the community updated about the progress of the search. Aside from group emails, there is also an Archway Head Search google page you can look on at http://headsearchupdates.blogspot.com/ or from the Google group site at http://groups.google.com/group/archwaypta?hl=en

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Tonya Hersch

tonyahersch1@earthlink.net

510-835-4092

Friday, October 16, 2009

Visitation Schedule and Proposed Search Timeline

Visitation Schedule

Board Meeting - Sunday, October 18, 5pm Oakland
Meeting with Parents - Monday, October 19, 4pm Oakland
Meeting with Parents - Monday, October 19, 6pm Berkeley
(Upper and Lower Campus are welcome to attend either meeting.)
Meeting with Teachers - Wednesday, October 21, 2:45 (Oakland)
Two-Day School Visit - Tuesday, October 20 (Berkeley) & Wednesday, October 21 (Oakland)
First Search Com Meeting - Monday, October 26, 6pm Oakland

During his two day visit Bob will focus on :

Administrators:
• Business Manager - Someone well acquainted with the finances.
• Bridget
• Melissa
• Sarah

Other appointments:


  • Time to visit classes, wander about etc.
  • Two or three 25-40 minute blocks set aside in the schedule for small groups of available faculty members.
  • Student Meeting(s) for student feedback - (meeting with the student government leaders).
  • Meeting with Parent Association leaders
  • Concluding Meeting: Search Committee 1 - 2 hours. This meeting should come soon after Bob’s visit.

Archway Search Proposed Timeline and Event Schedule

  • Campus Visit & Creation of the Candidate Profile Oct. 19-21
  • Draft Candidate Information Document (CID)
  • Send to the Committee November 4
  • Candidate Recruitment October-December
  • Committee Receives Candidate Packets January 7
  • Committee selects Semifinalists January 14
  • Semifinalist Interviews & Selection of Finalists Week of January 25
  • Finalists’ Visits February 11-19
  • Board votes on Preferred Candidate Late February