The search for the next Newcastle Public Schools superintendent is currently underway.
After the announcement of Superintendent Dr. Melonie Hau’s retirement at the end of the school year, the Newcastle Board of Education approved a partnership with the Oklahoma State School Boards Association to help facilitate the superintendent search process.
To begin the process, the Newcastle Board of Education launched an online community survey for the public to provide input on the qualities and characteristics they would like to see in their next superintendent.
Parents, students, staff and community members can access the survey on the district’s website, newcastle. k12.ok.us. The survey will be available online until January 24. According to Newcastle Board of Education President John Maker, hearing from the community is a top priority for board members as they begin to navigate the search process.
“It’s very important to us that we hear from the public,” Maker said. “Survey responses will provide insight into what our parents, students, staff and community need in our next superintendent. It will help outline the leadership qualities they value as well as what type of leader can help our district to continue to grow and provide every opportunity possible for our students.”
Applications for the Newcastle Public Schools superintendent position are currently available and will be accepted until January 27. Newcastle school board members hope to select the right candidate by early spring. Current Superintendent Dr. Hau will continue to serve the district until the end of the school year. Dr. Hau has been with the district for four years and recently helped pass a $79.7 million bond package that will provide district-wide improvements for the students of today and tomorrow.
“Dr. Hau’s leadership has helped our district grow in the four years she has been here,” Maker said. “She’s helped strengthen district partnerships with community stakeholders, demonstrating open, consistent communication, which helped our district pass a major bond initiative that will have a positive impact in our community for years to come. We wish her well in her next endeavors.”
OSSBA has helped facilitate superintendent searches across the state, working with other school board associations throughout the country to ensure a competitive candidate pool. The non-profit organization has partnered with several Oklahoma school districts of all sizes to perform superintendent searches, including Stillwater, Skiatook, Owasso and Eufaula.
OSSBA assists districts with advertising openings, recruiting potential candidates, furnishing an online application management system, and providing guidance and support throughout the search process.
