LAKEWOOD - The search for the next superintendent for Southwestern Central School District will be conducted by BOCES.
On Tuesday, David O'Rourke, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES district superintendent, discussed the service BOCES provides to component districts. O'Rourke said BOCES will provide the service at no charge, other than incidental costs like travel expenses for candidates and advertisement of the open position. O'Rourke said he would handle all contacts with potential candidates.
The BOCES superintendent commended the board for thinking ahead and starting the search process for the next superintendent. Daniel George, Southwestern superintendent, is planning to retire at the end of the calendar year.
Article Photos
David O’Rourke, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES district superintendent, discusses the search for a new superintendent with Southwestern Central School District officials Tuesday. Daniel George, Southwestern superintendent, right, is retiring from the district at the end of the calendar year.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
''This is the position many boards like to be in,'' O'Rourke said about searching for a new superintendent while the retiring school district leader continues his duties.
O'Rourke said the search process typically takes three months to complete. He said it is his understanding district officials don't want an interim superintendent. He said the timeline to find a new superintendent will then be tight to complete in time. He said district officials could name an acting superintendent if a new superintendent has not been hired by the time George retires, but the search is almost complete. The search will be both internal and external for a new superintendent.
O'Rourke said the board should start to think about who should be involved in the selection process. He said the board should appoint members of the school district and the community to a search committee. He said typically a search committee is made up of eight to 10 people. He said more than one committee could be formed depending on how many people want to be involved in the process.
''This is the board's decision,'' he said. ''This is probably the most important responsibility of the board.''
O'Rourke said he has not led the search for a new superintendent for a school district because he was just named BOCES superintendent in July. He said he has been involved in the search process for several school administrators.