Superintendent Search
Worthington District 518 has begun the search for its new Superintendent
The District 518 School Board is currently conducting a search for a new superintendent as a result of John Landgaard’s retirement. The School Board contracted with the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) to guide and provide assistance throughout the process.
The Board met with MSBA on August 29 in a work session and September 18 for a special board meeting to discuss the superintendent search process. An important part of the search process is gathering input for the Board to consider as it moves forward in selecting the next superintendent. The board’s unanimous decision to select MSBA was made at its September 18 special board meeting.
Las escuelas del Distrito 518 han comenzado la búsqueda de su nuevo superintendente
La junta directiva escolar del Distrito 518 actualmente está llevando a cabo la búsqueda de un nuevo superintendente como resultado de la jubilación de John Landgaard. La junta escolar contrató a la Asociación de Juntas Escolares de Minnesota (MSBA, por sus siglas en inglés) para guiar y brindar asistencia durante todo el proceso.
La Junta directiva se reunió con MSBA el 29 de agosto en una sesión de trabajo y el 18 de septiembre para una reunión especial de la junta directiva para discutir el proceso de búsqueda de superintendente. Una parte importante del proceso de búsqueda es recopilar información para que la Junta la considere a medida que avanza en la selección del próximo superintendente. La decisión unánime de la junta de seleccionar a MSBA se tomó en la reunión especial de la junta el 18 de septiembre.
Timeline
| September 18, 2024 | Planning meeting – Board adopts search timeline, reviews hiring criteria, search procedures, market positioning, and stakeholder involvement |
| October 15, 2024 – November 12, 2024 | Stakeholder survey open online and in hard copy |
| November 6, 2024 | MSBA host informational Q@A session on Zoom – will be recorded for viewing throughout search |
| November 25, 2024 – January 12, 2025 | MSBA posts opening on local, regional, and national websites, advertises position vacancy, receives applications, and responds to applicant inquiries |
| December 9, 2024 | Board meets for interview training, and to discuss stakeholder report, interview questions, and procedures |
| January 12, 2025 | Application Deadline |
| January 13 – February 3, 2025 | MSBA conducts screening, preliminary verification of references, pre-interviews of recommended applicants |
| January 14 – February 3, 2025 | Board members review applications |
| February 3, 2025 | Board meets to determine finalists, interview questions and procedures; MSBA reviews interview training |
| February 7, 2025 | Board conducts first round of interviews |
| February 10, 2025 | Board conducts reference checks and holds second round of interviews; Board selects lone finalists and sets negotiations process |
| February 11, 2025 | Board designee begins negotiations of employment contract with lone finalist |
| February 18, 2025 | Board meets to approve employment contract |
| July 1, 2025 | New superintendent reports to work |
Virtual Meeting
To ensure all constituents in the district have access to accurate information regarding search processes and expectations, MSBA will host a virtual Q & A with MSBA at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, November 6. All interested individuals are invited to attend the live session; however, to accommodate busy schedules as well as ensure access to search information, the session will also be recorded and made available on the district website for the remainder of the search.
Questions about the search process can be submitted anonymously in advance by clicking the link below. The deadline for submittal of advance questions is Wednesday, November 6 at noon. Questions may also be submitted during the session using the chat box.
We hope you can join MSBA for this overview of the upcoming search process. If you are unable to join us live, please visit the district website to watch the recording at a later date. Contact Barb Dorn, MSBA Director of Leadership Development and Executive Search, at 507-508-5501 with any questions. Thank you for your interest and participation in the superintendent search process!
Community engagement
Survey
An anonymous public survey is now available for all interested parties to fill out between October 15 – November 12, 2024. Click the link below to complete the District 518 Superintendent Search Survey. Hard copies of the survey are also available at District Office, 1117 Marine Ave., Worthington. Please return any completed surveys to the same location by November 12 so they can be included with the online survey results.
Following the survey deadline of November 12, MSBA will summarize and provide an overview of the responses for presentation to the School Board.