In their search for a new superintendent, the River Forest Public School District 90 Board of Education has narrowed the candidate pool to three finalists, and will be holding individual interviews in closed meetings this week.
“We’re delighted with all of the candidates that have come to us,” said board President Juli Geldner.
The board has opted to keep the search confidential and not release the identities of any candidates until their April 5 meeting, when they intend to announce their final choice.
In the meantime, a committee made up of parents and teachers and one made up of administrators will also have the chance to interview the three final candidates and report back to the board with their opinions. “They will each fill out evaluations which will be passed on to us,” said Geldner, adding that reference checks have already been completed by the private search firm the board enlisted to find potential candidates.
But board members will also conduct their own reference checks and a thorough screening of each final candidate. “We will do site visits if we deem them necessary,” added Geldner, who noted that school board members will follow closely the profile that’s been developed for potential superintendent candidates, based on input collected from parents, teachers and other community members. The seven-point list emphasizes strong communication, leadership and collaborative skills. The full profile is listed on the Dist. 90 website at district90.org.
Geldner said it’s been a challenge to narrow the pool with so many qualified applicants, but the board is happy with the three finalists.
“It’s such an ideal place to come to that we’ve been overwhelmed with the number of candidates,” she said.