Somerville Superintendent Search Survey

The Somerville School Committee is currently seeking a Superintendent of Schools. Community input will play a valuable role in this process. Please provide your input below. Your feedback will be incorporated with comments received in community focus groups and will help us build a profile for the next Superintendent of Schools.

Question Title

* 1. Which of the following best describes your relationship with the Somerville Public Schools? apply. If more than one applies, select one from which you will respond to the following questions.

Teacher

Special Educator

Support Staff

Administrator

Student

Parent or Guardian

Somerville Resident with No Students in the Somerville Public Schools

City Official or Employee

School Committee

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. How long has your relationship with the Somerville Public Schools Existed?

Fewer than Five Years

Between Five and Ten Years

More than 10 Years

Question Title

* 3. It is important to assess the most important personal characteristics, knowledge, attributes and core values that the next Somerville superintendent should possess. Please select up to five (5) that you think are most important.

Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

Ability to articulate a clear educational vision for all students

Commitment to closing achievement and opportunity gaps

Commitment to challenging all students academically

Thoughtful curriculum and instructional leader

Ability to give and receive feedback to improve the performance of others and self

Advocate for educational innovation in the classroom

Knowledge of effective professional development programs

Prioritizes recruitment, retention, morale and health of employees

Knowledge of effective means to seek and value the student voice

Commitment to empowering parents, students and staff

Ability to present themselves as the educational leader in the Somerville community

An inclusive leader with ability to bring diverse groups of people together

Ability to develop relationships with key constituencies and effective teams

Values art, music and other programs as much as core academics

Values social emotional learning

Integrity

Strong Communicator

Strong social skills (empathy, humor, collaboration, approachable)

Possesses political acumen

Prioritizes being visible in the schools and classrooms

Knowledge of special education law and regulations

Articulate of programs for English Language Learners and in Sheltered English Emersion

Question Title

* 4. It is important to assess the most important skills and background experiences the next Somerville Superintendent of Schools should possess. Select up to five (5) that you think are the most important.

Teaching experience

School administrator experience

Central office administrator experience

Experience in a school district similar to ours

Experience in using and communicating data to support decision making and problem solving

Non-educational leadership experience

Leadership experience in diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives

Leadership in improving teaching and learning

Skills in family and community engagement

Experience in working effectively with municipal officials

Experience in building a district culture of trust and strong relationships

Experience in negotiations and collective bargaining process

Experience in building effective relationships with faculty and staff

Experience in creating and implementing a district strategy for improvement

Experience in developing and administering a districtwide budget and ensuring the financial health of the district

Question Title

* 5. What are the strengths or points of pride of the Somerville Public Schools that you believe should be preserved?

Question Title

* 6. What are the three (3) most important issues that you believe the next Superintendent of Schools must address in the first year in the position?

Question Title

* 7. Please provide any additional comments including your hopes for the future of Somerville or characteristics which are not addressed above, that inform the profile of the Somerville Public Schools.