Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) has been undergoing its most significant administrative transition in nearly a decade.
This year began with the arrival of new board members, and now a search is taking place for a new superintendent to oversee one of the state’s largest school districts, with 62 schools and more than 29,000 students.
Recently, IPS hosted a series of 10 community meetings for local parents, teachers and concerned residents to share what qualities they would like to see in the next superintendent.
“We have had excellent participation from the community with our forums,” said John Althardt, a spokesman for IPS. “This is exactly what the commissioners had hoped for.”
Currently, the IPS Board of Commissioners is conducting a search to find a permanent replacement for Eugene White, who stepped down last month after nearly eight years in the position. Former Warren Township schools Superintendent Peggy Hinckley is leading IPS on an interim basis.
On Monday dozens of individuals gathered at George Washington Julian School #57 to submit written suggestions of what they believe the next superintendent should be like. They also listened to a panel of community leaders discuss the district’s needs.
IPS parent Julie Shaugh is hoping for a superintendent who can introduce better programs for students outside the classroom, and be a strong advocate for the district as budgetary decisions are being made by state and local government leaders.
“As a kid I remember how excited we were to get new textbooks. Today, kids are excited to get new computers,” she said. “They need those and other elements of technology to stay current. But when it comes to how our money is spent, the needs of schools, especially those in IPS often get overlooked. We have to change that.”
Joe Slash, president of the Indianapolis Urban League and one of several community leaders and educators on the featured panel, spoke in pragmatic terms about what the next superintendent should deliver.
“We want someone who has a proven track record of success, whether they come from within IPS or another community, and someone who is going to be a great community convener, to not just talk about change but also lead it,” said Slash.
He added that the next superintendent should also embrace current technology trends, be able to replicate the methods of successful schools and have a desire to talk with all stakeholders in the district, not issue orders and expect everyone to follow.
“In other words, we need a person who’d better be able to walk on water,” Slash said as the crowd responded with agreeable laughter.
Althardt said he noticed that in forums he has attended, some of the common traits sought in a superintendent include strong leadership, experience in dealing with the kinds of issues that confront IPS, realization of students’ potential, appreciation of the role of parents and community partners, and an understanding of the finances and politics of a very high profile position.
In addition to good turnout for the forums, he added that more than 1,000 online surveys have been filled out to highlight the attributes of a new superintendent. In addition, HYA Executive Search, the firm hired by IPS in its search, has been receiving input from 25 different community, education and faith-based organizations.
HYA will assemble all input from forums, meetings and surveys into a profile of the “ideal” superintendent for IPS, which will be used as a model to find a list of finalists.
Althardt said Hinckley has committed to serving as acting superintendent until Sept. 1, when she must meet other obligations. He added that the board would like to have a permanent replacement “well before” then, but also wants to make sure an appropriate amount of time is given for the search.
“Clearly, they want to make sure that this is an efficient process, but they will take whatever time is necessary to get the right person for this position,” Althardt said.
For more information and to share your thoughts, visit ips.k12.in.us/.
