Focus groups provide feedback in Montgomery ISD superintendent search

The search for a Montgomery ISD superintendent has entered the next phase after focus groups gathering community feedback wrapped up Oct. 3.

In a nutshell

Consultant firm Thompson & Horton LLP—which is leading the superintendent search—hosted focus groups of about 75 community members, students, teachers and parents who discussed what they want in a superintendent, according to an Oct. 4 letter from board President Laurie Turner. Thompson & Horton representatives said key traits focus group members said they’re looking for in a superintendent include:

• Education and leadership experience
• Willingness to stay with MISD long term
• Strong communication skills
• Transparency
• Familiarity with Texas laws and financial code

“What's always helpful in this process is you will have certain themes that just sort of emerge over the course of the day. ... That will help you when you start with doing candidates here in a few weeks, and then as you prepare interview questions to prepare for the interviews, that will give you some great inspiration to rely on,” Thompson & Horton LLP partner David Thompson said Oct. 3.

According to Thompson & Horton, topics the group members said they’re hoping the superintendent hire will be prepared to prioritize include:

• The district’s ongoing growth
• Keeping employee salaries competitive
• Safety
• Special populations, such as special education

MISD officials said they hope to conduct the first round of superintendent interviews in November and anticipate a January start date for a new superintendent, as previously reported by Community Impact.

Community input can still be submitted through Oct. 11 by clicking here.

The context

MISD is looking to hire a new superintendent following the resignation of Heath Morrison in July, who had served as superintendent since July 2020.

• Morrison's last day with the district was July 31. He resigned from MISD to serve as CEO of national organization Teachers of Tomorrow, effective Aug. 1.
• The board appointed Amy Busby, assistant superintendent of student services and innovation, as interim superintendent, effective Aug. 1, during a July 18 special meeting.

Anna Lotz contributed to this report.