PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — The Wood County Board of Education’s county superintendent search, coordinated by the West Virginia School Board Association (WVSBA), is entering its “final stage,” said Howard O’Cull, director of the West Virginia School Board Association (WVSBA), who is coordinating the search.
“The momentum is present. Next week is pivotal.” said O’Cull, outlining the schedule of activities:
Meeting Monday, May 7, the county board, after reviewing applications, selected five superintendent search applicants for interviews.
Interviewees include:
- James G. Brown, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Pleasants County Schools
- (Dr.) Eddie R. Campbell Jr., Tucker County Schools Superintendent
- William P. Hosaflook, Principal Ripley High School
- John McKown, Curriculum Coordinator, Wood County Schools
- Jeffrey P. Woofter, Barbour County Schools Superintendent.
Thirteen individuals applied for the position. One applicant, however, has taken a superintendent position in Lewis County, according to O’Cull.
O’cull outlineed the remaining schedule of activities:
— Release of “Report Citizen Participation Aspect of Wood County Schools Superintendent Search – April 18, 2018” which is included on the Wood County Board of Education website – http://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com The report is to be included on the West Virginia School Board Association website – www.wvsba.org early next week
— County board review (screening) of applications – Monday, May 7. Following screening of applications, the county board will release the name of each applicant (screened applicants) to be interviewed.
— A “meet-and-greet” session will be held, beginning at 9 a.m. Parkersburg High School. Attendees will have the opportunity to greet each screened applicant.
— The screened applicants will be provided 10 minutes to make remarks to participants and, as part of their remarks, respond to three questions provided by the public as well as the major themes of the citizen participation report – need for a county superintendent who is a change agent and community-builder.
— County board structured interviews with each screened applicant – noon Saturday, May 12.
— Determination and announcement of finalist for superintendent position – Week of May 14.
O’Cull said the entire process is to be concluded before June 1, based on state law which requires county boards to “…fix the annual salary of the superintendent for the period of appointment for the term beginning on the following July 1…” prior to June 1.
Regarding the search, O’Cull said the Wood County school system has “benefited from the leadership of past superintendents, including, of course, Mr. Flint, and past county boards. The decision this board makes will, in many ways, determine the course, direction for this system for the next several years.”
O’Cull stressed “the appointment of the incoming superintendent requires involvement and commitment certainly of the school board as well as citizens. If you look at the report of the April 18 meeting, you see the county is at a juncture where focused, student-centered leadership – county board, superintendent – is critical.”
“Thus, there is a critical need for a county superintendent who has skillsets in terms of a change agent and community builder and I might add one who will lead the school board through information, knowledge, expertise, especially in matters regarding academic pursuits, and sound policy recommendations,” O’Cull said.
Questions will be consolidated around themes. To submit a question for the Saturday session forward to [email protected]