Dear Middletown Community Members:
Middletown Public Schools has hired the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) to assist with the search for a new Superintendent of Schools.
In the next few weeks, the School Committee intends to appoint a Screening Committee to assist in the superintendent search process. While the School Committee has the sole authority to appoint the superintendent, it may wish to have the benefit of input from a Screening Committee made up of various members of the community and schools. The Screening Committee will review applications, interview candidates, and recommend several candidates to the School Committee for further consideration.
Middletown Public Schools invites community members to recommend individuals to serve on the Screening Committee. Screening Committee seats are limited, and a recommendation does not guarantee membership on the Screening Committee. The individuals recommended should be available to attend several evening meetings including all the candidate interview sessions, and he/she/they should understand that much of the business of the Screening Committee will require a high degree of confidentiality as potential candidates’ names and application materials will be reviewed and discussed. It is expected that the Screening Committee duties will begin on 7 March 2024 and conclude by 21 March 2024. Please contact me via email no later than 12 February 2024 to inform me of any recommendations for representatives on the Screening Committee.
The first meeting of the Screening Committee is tentatively scheduled for 7 March 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the School Administration Building, 26 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842, at which time a NESDEC search consultant will facilitate a training workshop. The consultant will also assist in reviewing applications, and in the selection of candidates the Screening Committee wishes to interview. The interview schedule, agenda and questions will also be developed. As you can see, many tasks must be accomplished during the meeting so members should plan to be available for approximately three hours.
In subsequent meetings, it is anticipated the Screening Committee will interview a total of approximately 8-10 candidates who best meet the profile that has been established for the superintendent position. At the conclusion of the interviews, the Screening Committee will recommend 3-5 candidates for further consideration by the Middletown School Committee.
Selecting a new Superintendent of Schools is an important activity for the entire community, and it requires an extraordinary commitment of time and energy. The School Committee would greatly appreciate community participation in the process. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at (ghuet@mpsri.net).
Very truly yours,
Gregory M. Huet
School Committee Member and NESDEC Liaison