Norwich school board sets schedule for superintendent search
Norwich — The Board of Education, serving as the superintendent search committee, is planning a busy spring, with two public workshops, two rounds of interviews with prospective candidates, a session for background checks and a final selection by the end of April.
Superintendent Abby Dolliver, 65, announced in December she will retire June 30 after nine years as head of the city school system. The Board of Education has named itself as the search committee and is working with the New England School Development Council to conduct the search.
Applications are due by March 6, but the search committee has reserved the right to accept late applications, lead consultant Elizabeth Osga, a retired superintendent, said in January. Osga is both accepting applications and doing active recruiting for the Norwich position.
School board Chairwoman Yvette Jacaruso said Wednesday the search committee is planning to hold two public workshops at 6 p.m. March 14 and March 19 to discuss the superintendent position. Norwich residents are asked to fill out a survey posted on the school system’s website, norwichpublicschools.org, by Feb. 22 to provide input on top priority attributes they would like to see in a new superintendent.
Jacaruso said the search committee is scheduling a first round of interviews on March 28 and April 2.
A “final check” on top candidates is scheduled for April 17, and the selection of a new superintendent is slated for April 23.
The new superintendent will start at a time when school and city officials are starting to plan for a major school restructuring and renovation plan. Dolliver serves as an ex-officio member of the School Facilities Committee, which also is conducting a public survey for input on what parents, staff and residents would like to see in a revamped school system. The school survey, also posted on the school system's website, will be open until March 15.
The School Facilities Committee is aiming for presenting a school restructuring plan in time for a referendum in November 2020.
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