Lawrence school board plans to interview superintendent candidates in February, announce a hire in March

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

The Lawrence school board takes part in a special meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at the school district offices, 110 McDonald Dr.

Lawrence school board members were given an updated timeline on Tuesday for the district’s superintendent search, which included plans to hold candidate interviews in mid- to late February and announce a decision in March.

On Tuesday, the school board held a special meeting to review a report from the Kansas Association of School Boards regarding the search. Britton Hart of KASB told the board that he would meet with them again on Feb. 12 to discuss the candidates in a closed executive session, and that two to four finalists would be interviewed during the week of Feb. 17. The board’s goal is to announce a long-term superintendent in March.

The KASB also shared feedback it had gathered from students, staff and the community about the characteristics they would like to see in a permanent superintendent.

KASB’s report included feedback from a community survey completed by approximately 550 people, as well as additional input KASB gathered in focus groups with 130 staff, parents, and community members regarding their expectations. When stakeholders were asked what the single most important characteristic in a superintendent would be, the top answer was a genuine commitment to the school community — someone who views Lawrence as home rather than just a temporary position.

Some other key qualities in the report include experience in a similar-sized district with a proven record of success; understanding of equity issues; and a collaborative approach to leadership.

The board had some items it wanted to add on Tuesday: humble acceptance of good and bad feedback, being action-minded and focused on instruction and being able to communicate well with the community, among other things. And board member Carole Cadue-Blackwood recommended doing a focus group specifically for Native American students, staff, parents, and community members, including the Indigenous Curriculum Committee and Native American Student Services.

Hart also said that until the meeting in February, board members should think about how the Lawrence school district compares to others in Kansas in terms of the salary for the superintendent. He told board members that Lawrence was the seventh-largest of the 286 school districts in Kansas, but that its superintendent salary from the most up-to-date fiscal year was ranked ninth in the state at $226,530.

As the Journal-World reported, the school board chose KASB in November to help select a new permanent superintendent. KASB had also worked with the school board to select Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift, who took over after Anthony Lewis resigned from the position last summer.

Swift’s contract will end on June 30, 2025, and while she is eligible to apply for the permanent position, she has not said whether she plans to do so. Swift was not present at the special meeting on Tuesday.