SSFS HOS leaving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The timing for the HOS search isn’t optimal - other schools in a HOS search process are announcing their new head for next year around this time whereas we are waiting to find out the list of finalists that the BOT settled on (who are likely to have been candidates in an existing search who weren’t ultimately selected).

What do you mean by “who are likely to have been candidates in an existing search..”? The bot can’t still be connected to the candidates from the hos search from 5 years ago?

I think pp means “leftovers” not selected for other schools’ searches.

[Anonymous]

I think the uphill challenge here is that the best candidates for the job would be well aware of the current instability and many level-headed people wouldn’t want to take on such a gig with such a high potential for failure unless the pay is $$$. Unfortunately, most candidates who feel prepared to take on a rebuild like this will come with their own ego too. Previous poster mentioning the CFO, AHOS, and LS Head positions makes a good point. Finding good fits for all those positions who will have to immediately hit the ground running in a unified way is unlikely in my opinion. I’m of the opinion that the school will the weather the storm but it will take 3-5 years at least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the uphill challenge here is that the best candidates for the job would be well aware of the current instability and many level-headed people wouldn’t want to take on such a gig with such a high potential for failure unless the pay is $$$. Unfortunately, most candidates who feel prepared to take on a rebuild like this will come with their own ego too. Previous poster mentioning the CFO, AHOS, and LS Head positions makes a good point. Finding good fits for all those positions who will have to immediately hit the ground running in a unified way is unlikely in my opinion. I’m of the opinion that the school will the weather the storm but it will take 3-5 years at least.

That's what I fear also, as we wrestle with the decision for next year. We want to return, but nothing in the current status gives us the confidence that there isn't just a number of years of bumpiness ahead. All these positions to fill, they all have to play well together, that's unlikely to just magically happen. You need to start with the HOS hire and really only the new HOS should hire the other positions, Otherwise it just won't be a unified team. So how those positions be filled till 2026 at the earliest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last go around at SSFS, we met the three HOS finalists in September. One of the 3 candidates from the last search was just named HOS for FCS (was hoping she could be in the running for our search). That being said, our experience this year in Upper School has been pretty ideal and our DC would not want to leave so we are staying and hoping for the best. New leadership on BOT could also help support the school going forward.

The bot has new leadership. The leadership at the end of 2024 school year (June) to July when RG left to now- 3 different sets of BOT leaders.

[Anonymous]

Generally that much turnover in leadership on a Board in a short period is reflective of dysfunction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Generally that much turnover in leadership on a Board in a short period is reflective of dysfunction.

I don’t think anyone doubted there is dysfunction in the bot. That’s why RG was around as long as he was. Interim leadership stepped in finally to remove him. But they were the stop gap measure so now we have new board clerks (as well as new board members). Whether the current bot will stick or be functional - only time will tell.

[Anonymous]

So far the board and their communications have been meh. Nothing that inspires confidence. But recognize that it is a volunteer gig, and sometimes you have the right leaders at the right time for the challenge of the moment and sometimes you don’t. Feeling hopeful that the board will improve now that TG has joined. And thankfully the heads of the 3 divisions seem do a great job shielding their teams from general dysfunction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So far the board and their communications have been meh. Nothing that inspires confidence. But recognize that it is a volunteer gig, and sometimes you have the right leaders at the right time for the challenge of the moment and sometimes you don’t. Feeling hopeful that the board will improve now that TG has joined. And thankfully the heads of the 3 divisions seem do a great job shielding their teams from general dysfunction.

2 heads of 3 divisions. No head of LS exists.

But yes DB and MS seem to be doing ok under what can only be a shaky situation.

[Anonymous]

Is this anonymous?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this anonymous?

Yes it is. Speak freely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this anonymous?

Yes there is nothing to identify the commenter unless they say something so specific it's obvious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally that much turnover in leadership on a Board in a short period is reflective of dysfunction.

I don’t think anyone doubted there is dysfunction in the bot. That’s why RG was around as long as he was. Interim leadership stepped in finally to remove him. But they were the stop gap measure so now we have new board clerks (as well as new board members). Whether the current bot will stick or be functional - only time will tell.

100% the first part. The BOT are working full time jobs trying to clean up the mess previous BOT leadership and RG left in their wake.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know who the finalists for head of school are? I see they will be on campus soon.

[Anonymous]

Where did you see that they will be on campus soon?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where did you see that they will be on campus soon?

Campus visits start in January