ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997 TAG: 9702240023
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
Throw in one part gregarious personality, several parts bridge builder, add extra ears for listening and extra eyes for learning, plus a dash of political savvy.
Stir it all together, bake in an understanding of this area until thick-skinned, and ... poof, out comes Montgomery County's new schools superintendent.
It won't be quite that easy, says Susan Jennigan, whose firm will try to find such a mix of qualities. But after spending a few days interviewing more than 70 people, Jennigan said she's beginning to understand the recipe.
Her firm, North Carolina-based Sockwell and Associates, was hired by the School Board to find a replacement for Superintendent Herman Bartlett. The board decided not to renew Bartlett's contract in the fall.
As a base fee, the School Board is paying Sockwell $30,000. Additional costs such as postage or travel could run as high as $5,000 extra.
School Board members, as well as parents and teachers, have said they want as much input as possible from the community on this selection. In the past 20 years, the school system has gone through seven superintendents, a history Jennigan admits could be a hinderance.
But, she said, the more input from people inside - and outside - the schools, the better.
"Sometimes parents are in a different place than administrators." She said knowing how the entire community wants to interact with its superintendent will make the selection process easier.
Jennigan and a co-worker spent Tuesday and Wednesday interviewing anyone who signed up for a 15-minute slot.
They talked with PTA members from four elementary schools, two middle schools and three high schools. They interviewed principals, administrative assistants and maintenance employees. They met with three Board of Supervisors members, two representatives from the Taxpayer's Association and each member of the School Board.
"As diverse as this community seems to be," she said between interviews Wednesday, "there's been quite a lot of correlation in what people want."
First and foremost, she said, people want a superintendent who can build relationships between the various communities and groups in the county. He, or she, must like people and be visible at school functions and community events.
Jennigan said the firm plans to advertise nationally, and accept applications from within the school system. They will then narrow the choices down to about 10 top applicants, based on the recommendations of the School Board and community input.
If all goes well, Jennigan expects to have a new superintendent by mid-May.
People can still add their input by filling out a survey and sending it back to Sockwell and Associates. Call 382-5100 or pick up a survey at the School Board office, located on Junkin Street in Christiansburg.
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