SSFS HOS leaving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Info on tuition rates will have to come soon as cannot ask for parents to sign contracts for next year without all the terms - one of which is rate of tuition. The BOT sets tuition rates and their communication has been underwhelming. Have not seen anything about the bio or resume of the 3 HOS candidates - and no opportunity for a zoom meeting with the candidates, only an in person slot. Unless I missed an email.

Bio/resume aren’t always released ahead of time to protect the privacy of the candidate, some of which may not have told their current school they are looking for another job. The two-day visit schedule is jam packed and there simply isn’t time for both an in-person and a zoom parent session.

[Anonymous]

As a family w/ two working parents who lives a ways from campus and is trying to evaluate whether to stay or go, it is so frustrating to not even have the names available - including of the candidates who have already been on campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Info on tuition rates will have to come soon as cannot ask for parents to sign contracts for next year without all the terms - one of which is rate of tuition. The BOT sets tuition rates and their communication has been underwhelming. Have not seen anything about the bio or resume of the 3 HOS candidates - and no opportunity for a zoom meeting with the candidates, only an in person slot. Unless I missed an email.

Bio/resume aren’t always released ahead of time to protect the privacy of the candidate, some of which may not have told their current school they are looking for another job. The two-day visit schedule is jam packed and there simply isn’t time for both an in-person and a zoom parent session.

Yes the schedule is packed but that doesn't explain why a zoom isn't available for parents who work full time. It wouldn't have to be a separate session. Not offering one gives the appearance of trying to limit access.

[Anonymous]

We had full bios plus a write-up of candidates' philosophy plus a zoom meeting option for the HOS search last time (as well as the HOS search at another school we attended before coming here). It is pretty standard protocol. The process this time around is the opposite of transparent and inclusive.

[Anonymous]

Ask the BOT for the names, or at least last week's name. Also most people do look for a new job without telling a current employer. Perhaps in the past the school wasn't following the typical way of conducting a head search. Perhaps this is the policy of the hiring firm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel this thread has continued because unfortunately, the school and the Board of Trustees has not been forthcoming with information. It hard to think the school is recovering well when the CFO (a parent too) was let go expectedly after many years of service. I’ve heard a bunch of rumors about the financial health of the school. In addition, I always wondered if DB would leave this year but questioned that when he became the Interim School head just last year. And of course, replacing the interim HOS with another interim HOS is another issue. So many people are wondering what is going on and are concerned.

Expressing my exact worries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask the BOT for the names, or at least last week's name. Also most people do look for a new job without telling a current employer. Perhaps in the past the school wasn't following the typical way of conducting a head search. Perhaps this is the policy of the hiring firm.

I do think it is the policy of the hiring firm. The members of the BOT search committee as well as those on other advisory committees is on the web page. Folks can contact people with questions or concerns.

[Anonymous]

The name of the first candidate is already known to part of our community that could take off to meet with her - so I don’t follow the thread that this information needs to be protected at this point if half of the school knows it. If parents have to dig to get this info, you have a communication failure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had full bios plus a write-up of candidates' philosophy plus a zoom meeting option for the HOS search last time (as well as the HOS search at another school we attended before coming here). It is pretty standard protocol. The process this time around is the opposite of transparent and inclusive.

There are opportunities for all constituency groups to meet with the candidates and to learn more about them. There is a parent advisory group you can contact with feedback. It is actually not the norm to release a lot of information about the candidate during this process to protect their current position at their current school. They may or may not have told them they’re looking elsewhere. There will never be enough meeting times and formats to meet everyone’s needs or wishes. If it’s that important to you, find a way to attend a meeting or talk to someone who was able to go.

[Anonymous]

I have been on several search committees including for two area independent schools - one committee for a HOS and one for a divisional head. So far, I see nothing unusual about the process here at SSFS.

[Anonymous]

The notion that the candidates may not have told their current employer that they are looking elsewhere doesn't comport with a HOS interview process which isn't a private interview but rather a multi-day process of interacting with hundreds of people. The school offers zoom for most things in recognition of the fact that parents cannot always make it to campus and that's how you maximize the ability for the community to participate. Neglecting to do so here is a failure - we can make excuses or we can acknowledge that and do better. I am not familiar with the parent advisory group - is their contact info in the newsletter or elsewhere if they are the source for other parents about this process.

[Anonymous]

Oh good grief. This is not a "failure". And the information you are looking for is on the website SSFS created specifically for this process. That link was in multiple newsletters. There are lists of who is on each group.

Certainly make your suggestion about zoom but I can tell you from search committees I have been on at the University level, we only used zoom for these meet and greets during the pandemic.

I'm sure some can offer counter examples but that's all this is - different places and different institutions doing things differently. There is nothing nefarious about the process here.

[Anonymous]

You seem really defensive. A process can be lacking in some way without being nefarious.

[Anonymous]

There's nothing to be defensive about. Sure a process can be lacking and improved. Calling it a failure however is silly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The notion that the candidates may not have told their current employer that they are looking elsewhere doesn't comport with a HOS interview process which isn't a private interview but rather a multi-day process of interacting with hundreds of people.

Many people searching for jobs do not want their current employer to know they are looking elsewhere. And the is certainly true of candidates seeking this type of position.