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Modified Fast Track Gets Into Gear

Faced with yet another search for Lansing School Superintendent, the School Board is trying a new approach that could net a permanent Superintendent by the end of this summer. With the help of Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES District Superintendent Ellen O'Donnell the board is trying a controversial "Fast Track" screening method suggested by former TST BOCES Superintendent C. Roy Dexheimer.

As originally proposed, Ms. O'Donnell would bring qualified applicants to the board, skipping the advertising and application part of the process and moving directly to interviewing. School board members were uncomfortable with that closed a process. They amended it to include the faculty and the public's participation in choosing a new leader for the district.

Ms. O'Donnell told the board that choosing a superintendent is "the most important you will undertake." After outlining an aggressive schedule she said, "You have created some obstacles to finding the best person." She was referring to making the process open, advertising and accepting applications. If the goal is to try to hire a permanent replacement by September first these elements will make it difficult to achieve. Among the obstacles is the fact that many board and faculty members and interested members of the public are on vacation during the summer.

The board was split on whether to use the modified "Fast Track" method, or to put a temporary superintendent in place for a year while conducting a more traditional search. Board Vice President Christine Iacobucci favored a traditional search, saying it would insure there is enough time to hire just the right person. But Board President Dan Brown expressed his concern that waiting another full year would mean getting even further behind in creating a long term strategic plan and having the consistent leadership the district needs.

If "Fast Track" doesn't produce the right candidate, the board can still conduct a traditional search. Board members seemed determined to try, despite Ms. O'Donnell's reservation that "we've missed the window" of time when the district has the best chance of finding experienced and qualified applicants.

Meanwhile, Mr. Brown and board member Sandy Dhimitri got a brochure printed and distributed and an advertisement posted. Ms. O'Donnell has had about 19 inquiries so far, some with minimal experience and some with impressive credentials. With the failure of traditional searches to find qualified superintendents who were willing to stay for the long haul, this new approach may work. If not, nothing is lost, because the board is not required to hire a "Fast Track" applicant unless it is convinced it is the right person for the Lansing schools.

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