School leader search process proceeds

The Cedar Grove-Belgium School Board is mostly in alignment with the two communities it represents when it comes to choosing qualities of the next superintendent.

One of the characteristics is the person should be in it for the long haul; nobody on the board or at a focus group wants the job to be seen as a stepping stone.

That was one element that nearly 15 people from the Cedar Grove and Belgium communities cited in a brainstorming session with a search firm on Monday. The school board selected and prioritized qualities last month.

Meeting with community members was one of several steps the firm is taking to garner the best superintendent candidates for the district.

Howard-Suamico Supt. Damian LaCroix and recently retired Ashwaubenon Supt. Brian Hanes of the Nebraska-based executive search firm McPherson and Jacobson, LLC are leading the search.

Earlier on Monday, they met with administrators, staff members and students to seek their input.

At the community meeting that night, other overlapping qualities beyond a long-term career were identified that mirrored the school board’s priorities: strong and firm leadership, good communication  and listening skills, having experience, being a forward thinker and long-range planner, having integrity and being community minded of both Cedar Grove and Belgium.

Both groups also want the superintendent to be visible and attend district events.

In addition, community members listed relating to the taxpayers, standing up to the state, understanding the needs of all stakeholders in the district and understanding trauma-informed care.

LaCroiz and Hanes also asked the group about the positive elements of the community.

Among the responses were: that parents are supportive of the school, a safe place to live, a conservative and Christian community, work ethic is valued, small-town friendliness, quality facilities for youth sports, coaches also serve as life mentors, people are quick to help in times of need and the heritage of Luxembourg, Holland and Belgium is celebrated.

The group identified positive elements of the school district as well, including: teachers go above and beyond and are open to solving problems, support athletic feeder programs, quality facilities, small class sizes, a tolerant Christian community with a good moral compass, good relationships with local churches, partnerships with businesses and organizations, access to the pool, fitness center and school buildings, scholarships and a partnership with Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland.

Among things the new superintendent should be aware of are: Belgium and Cedar Grove work well together, the pool is nearing the end of its lifespan and that some teachers are resistant to change.

The community members said they would like to see the district’s focus remain on academic basics and that it balance test preparation with basic skills. Sports, they said, may be emphasized too much over academics.

While the meeting was comprised of community leaders and parents identified by the school board, all community members are invited to participate in the search process.

An online survey seeking the same input from Monday’s meeting is open through Sunday at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CedarGroveWI.

The brochure on the superintendent search is available on the district website at www.cedargrovebelgium.k12.wi.us.

Hanes said the average number of applicants is about 11 to 20 across the state.

The application deadline is Jan. 9 with the board selecting finalists on Jan. 29.

The board is expected to interview candidates beginning Feb. 24 and select the top candidate that week.

“Who we hire is the most important decision we make,” Hanes said, “whether it’s in the classroom or certainly in leadership.”

The district is searching for a new superintendent after Jeanne Courneene retired in early fall due to family reasons.

Courneene, a former principal of the district’s middle school, was superintendent for five years. She spent 21 years in the district.

Claire Martin, a career educator who served as superintendent of the Chilton School District for nine years before retiring, is Cedar Grove-Belgium’s interim superintendent. She said she will not be a candidate for the job.

The school board chose McPherson and Jacobson from a list of several search firms. The district is paying the firm about $12.700.