Public survey on school district superintendent search open until Feb. 13
- Mark Sabbatini
- 51 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Respondents asked to rate qualities they consider important in candidates, and current quality of district’s schools and management
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
People interested in who will be the Juneau School District’s next superintendent can offer their opinions about what qualities they value most in candidates and how they feel about the district’s current operations in an online survey until Feb. 13.
The six-question survey announced Wednesday evening by the City and Borough of Juneau includes one question about who the respondent is, three questions where people can offer open-ended written opinions, and two questions assigning ratings to a list of categories.
Current Superintendent Frank Hauser announced last October he is departing as of June 30, which marks the end of the current fiscal year. He was hired under a three-year contract beginning July 1, 2023, and the board had voted to extend his contract until 2028 shortly before he made his announcement.
His first year was marked by the biggest financial crisis in the district’s history, which resulted in a consolidation of schools that took effect on July 1, 2024. The current budget cycle is expected to be much less turbulent, although district leaders are expecting some contentious issues such as a state proposal to severely restrict funding municipalities can give schools for non-instructional purposes. The district is also involved in a lengthy impasse over teacher contract negotiations that have been occurring since last February.
The open-ended questions to survey respondents include sharing details about the community and district they feel candidates should know, the most significant issues the next superintendent will face, and what qualities the next superintendent should have.
Respondents are also asked to rate the importance — from "not important" to "very important" — of eight qualifications for candidates. Those qualifications include experience in a district with similar enrollment and demographics; experience working as a teacher; knowledge of public education finance, operations, and facilities; and "understands the dynamic and culture of our district."
Also, people are asked to assign ratings ranging from "poor" to "excellent" in nine categories including academic excellence, communication, fiscal management, relationships with families, relationships with local organizations, relationships with district staff members, relationships with the surrounding community, student achievement and success, and transparency.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
