The Arlington School Board is asking the community for input as it begins the search for the school division’s next superintendent.  The Board has retained the services of BWP & Associates (BWP), a national executive search firm that specializes in superintendent recruitment, to assist with the search process.

“Selecting a new superintendent is one of the most important tasks of a School Board and a significant process, and we want to know what leadership qualities, expertise and experiences matter most to our community stakeholders,” said School Board Chair Tannia Talento. “Participation from our staff, students, parents, businesses and community partners is essential to shaping the leadership profile for our next superintendent.”

During the community engagement phase, BWP will help gather input from stakeholders that will be used to create a unique, in-depth profile of the characteristics they would like to see in the new school division leader.

Community members can give that input by participating in one of four open Community Forums scheduled on January 22 and January 25, and through a survey that will launch January 21 through February 2 on the APS website. Community forums will be facilitated by BWP and are scheduled as follows:

• Wed, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. (Spanish) – Kenmore Middle School, 200 S. Carlin Springs Road, Black Box Theater
• Wed, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. – Washington-Liberty High School, 1301 N. Stafford Street, Cafeteria
• Sat, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. – Wakefield High School, 1325 S. Dinwiddie Street, Cafeteria
• Sat Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. – Dorothy Hamm Middle School, 4100 Vacation Lane, Cafeteria

Additionally, focus groups will be conducted by invitation with a diverse group of stakeholders, to include APS staff, students, parent groups, and representatives from community, business, non-profit and higher education organizations. Information from the community engagement process along with a draft profile of the leadership characteristics for the next superintendent will be presented to the Board by BWP in February.

The community can provide written feedback about the search process at any time by submitting an online comment form or by sending an email to engage@apsva.us.

A full timeline of the search process and other resources is available on the Superintendent Search webpage.