LISD update

LISD update

Written by Beth Wade Thursday, 07 June 2007

Search for new superintendent begins

With the school year and the election over, the Leander ISD School Board of Trustees will focus on finding a new superintendent. Tom Glenn, superintendent for the past 20 years, announced his retirement earlier this year. His decision to retire in December rather than at the end of the school year was made to give the school board more time to find his replacement.

“I think this will be a position that will be very popular,” Grace Barber-Jordan, school board president, said. “Tom has done such a great job with the district and I don’t see us having problems getting applicants. We wanted to wait until after the election and not rush to place a new superintendent. This position defines the school district and it is not something to go into lightly.”

A budget for the search has not yet been determined.

Basic superintendent search process:

1. Prepare a proposal to send to national search firms.
2. Search firms submit bids and the board chooses one firm.
3. Board gathers community input on qualities of leadership needed in a superintendent.
4. A committee is chosen to help determine the needs and wants for the position.
5. Board finalizes a job description. Search firm provides potential candidates, who go through two interviews.
6. Candidates visit Leander and the school board visits the candidate’s community and school district to observe previous work and environment.
7. The board plans to select a final candidate and have them on the job by Jan. 3. If not, an interim superintendent will take over the position until a final candidate can be found.

Leadership LISD gives community members taste of school

Leadership LISD invites select community members to participate in 10 two-hour classes that include presentations by students, teachers, school board members, administrators and staff from all areas in the district.

“The district wanted to give parents and community leaders an opportunity to gain an inside look at the district and its successes,” said Jennifer Williams, LISD spokesperson.

Class subjects include budget and finance, curriculum, long range planning, school safety and security, personnel and staffing, legislative issues, transportation and special programs.

“Overall, I wish more people understood how many people and how much work goes into having such a great school district,” said Mary Bradshaw, Leander Chamber of Commerce executive director. “The district is very well thought out and coordinated. I’m impressed by the structure that Tom Glenn has brought to the district. It doesn’t just happen that we have a great district; there are a lot of people making it happen.”

Each school in the district, along with the administration and school board, has the opportunity to nominate a parent or community member from their area to participate in Leadership LISD.

“We want to see this continue year after year,” Williams said. “Our schools are a large part of the communities. This is a fast growing area. We have a lot of new people moving in, and this is a way to bring in the older residents and new and give them a better understanding of the district, its programs and its mission.”

Invitations for the third year of Leadership LISD go out in July. For more information or to express interest in getting involved, contact Jennifer Williams at 434-5009.