Search Firm For Superintendent Seeks Your Input

In an effort to involve parents, staff and community members in the search for a new schools superintendent to replace Dr. Frank Alvarez, the Montclair Board of Education is inviting stakeholders to participate in open forums with Ray and Associates, Inc. This nationally recognized consulting firm has been engaged to assist the district in hiring a leader who will meet Montclair’s specific needs and positively impact the education of all students.

Alvarez announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down at the end of June to take a job as head of Rye Schools.

On April 10 and 11, Ray and Associates will be on hand to meet with select groups to hear their thoughts and survey their expectations for a new leader. In turn, this information will be provided to the school board and superintendent selection committee in a useful format that will lend high credibility to the search as it ensures constituent input.

Meetings with school administrators, staff and parent groups have also been scheduled.

While the school board realizes the announcement of these focus groups comes as short notice, the district is operating under a very specific timeline and must proceed accordingly.

Meetings are scheduled for the following dates and times:

April 10

7:30 p.m.: Ward 1 – Mt. Hebron Auditorium, 173 Bellevue Ave.
7:30 p.m.: Ward 3 – Hillside School Auditorium, 54 Orange Rd

April 11:

7:30 p.m.: Ward 2 – MHS Auditorium, 100 Chestnut Street
7:30 p.m.: Ward 4 – Nishuane School Auditorium, 32 Cedar Ave.            

The recruitment and selection of an educational executive leader is one of the most important decisions a district ever makes. Conducting the search well is a complex process, which makes constituents’ participation, with the assistance and guidance of Ray and Associates, crucial to a successful result.