Clear Creek ISD board of trustees, search firm create superintendent candidate profile

The meeting was spent discussing various characteristics of the district and how they apply to the superintendent search. The firm amended its statement accordingly as new ideas came up during the meeting.

Top-rated leadership competencies discussed by the firm and the board—five characteristics the ideal superintendent candidate would possess—included the ability to establish a culture of high expectations for all students and personnel and a deep understanding of educational research. After discussions with the board, the firm added the ideal candidate would be visible throughout the district and actively engage in community life.

Establishing that culture of high expectations includes setting high standards for professional development.

“We don't want to just find good people,” trustee Scott Bowen said of the teacher recruitment and retention process. “We want to make them better while they’re here, and we need to find a superintendent who’s capable of that.”

Other characteristics included finding a superintendent who is a people person, has integrity and is innovative as well as someone who has experience being an educational advocate and an instructional leader.

Community responses indicated that the district’s strengths are its internal and external communication, its teachers and staff, the breadth of programs and courses offered, and the sense of community and teamwork spirit.

However, community members also pointed at the programming as a potential challenge in terms of being able to continue offering every program. Another weak spot was special services, particularly as it related to recruiting and properly training teachers on a schedule that remains on pace with changing student demand.

Although the district’s growth was also something community members posed as a challenge, Smith said the district expects to add 200-300 students each year at a stable rate. League City continues to grow, but not all of League City is within CCISD, President Laura DuPont added.

A final, short open meeting will take place Oct. 19 to discuss the process of interviewing candidates; the three weeks that follow will include the board interviewing candidates; and the vote and announcement of the lone finalist is planned for the first week in November. DuPont encouraged trustees to start thinking now about the questions they may want to ask candidates during the interviews.

“We expect the process to be intense because the candidates will be that good,” search firm associate Rick Berry said.