By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Wynford Superintendent Steve Mohr is retiring at year’s end and the school board seeks to gain an insight as to what the community wanted in the district’s next leader. A public meeting was held Monday evening for that purpose and about one dozen people attended.
During the meeting the board asked those in attendance what characteristics, skills, and knowledge the superintendent should have as well what issues were of the most importance. As the community expressed what type of person they wanted in a superintendent, Wynford Treasurer Leesa Smith wrote down the suggestions.
Prior to taking the suggestions Board President Jeff Schiefer explained to the audience what the timeline is for the school to find a new superintendent.
“Turning in applications for the position is open until Friday, and then the board will meet next Wednesday to begin going through the applications,” Schiefer said. “The interviews will begin first week of November and (we) hope to name the new superintendent at the November school board meeting. If a superintendent is not named we will have to find a superintendent on the interim.”
When an attendee asked how many people had applied Schiefer responded that as of Oct. 12, 10 applications had been submitted.
When asked what characteristics that the community members wanted in a superintendent the attendees gave suggestions such as having high expectations of the staff, having a good rapport with the residents of the district, being a trendsetter, someone who would be loyal to the district, and would be a supporter of the arts.
Community members were concerned that the future superintendent have skills or knowledge in technology, the school’s curriculum, a good knowledge of life in a rural area, knowledge or experience of levies, building project knowledge, as well as good resources to help the future superintendent in areas where they may not have experience.
Issues that the Wynford School District could face under a new superintendent according to those in the audience are the age of the modulars used by the school, competitive salaries for the teachers, technology within the school district, the overall grade card of the school district, the buildings of the school district, possible consolidation with the other school districts within Crawford County, and transportation within the school district.
After the meeting Schiefer explained that the survey and meeting has helped in the search for the next superintendent.
“We are searching for all kinds of information, we want to know what the community wants in a person, because the decision isn’t just the five of us,” Schiefer said. “We’ve got to think for everyone in the community which is an extremely tough job, but the feedback has been fantastic.”
The board shared some of their expectations of the future superintendent explaining that most of what the crowd touched on had been discussed by the board members as well as other people within the staff and community in a survey.
“Mohr implemented a chain of command which goes teacher, principal, superintendent, school board. I want that person to continue that,” board member Rhonda Rowland said.
Board member Debbi Gifford explained to the crowd that while the current school board may not be around for the entire tenure of the superintendent, that they still do have a vested interest in the school district.
“I have four grandchildren in the Wynford school system,” Gifford said. “We all have a vested interest for what is best for the school.”
Mohr’s last scheduled day within the Wynford School District is Dec. 31, however the board said that Mohr will help the new superintendent through the transition period as well as help the district out as a consultant.