Creek Valley School District conducting search for new superintendent

CHAPPELL – A search is underway for a new Creek Valley superintendent of schools to replace Ted Classen, who is retiring.

The district has enlisted the executive recruitment and development firm of McPherson and Jacobson to assist in the search. Two regional consultants – Don Hague and Jeff West – are spearheading the process for the company.

“The deadline for submitting application materials is Jan. 21,” said Hague, who spent 12 years as school superintendent in Gering. “After that date, we’ll begin reviewing the completed files and evaluating the candidates against the established criteria. We’ll be conducting extensive background checks on the candidates.”

Creek Valley schools has an enrollment of about 250 students. It consists of an elementary school, a middle school and a high school.

“If we get eight real good candidates, I’ll be pleased,” Hague said. “But it only takes one real good one. It’s sometimes tough to draw people to smaller districts, and they’ll generally have some kind of a local tie.”

On Feb 2, the consultants will meet with the Board of Education to review candidates and assist the board as it selects the final candidates to be interviewed, Those interviews will take place the week of Feb. 16-20.

Hague said he hopes to have a hire announced by the end of February and take over the role on July 1. Classen’s last day with the district is June 30.

He said there are several criteria that the school board and his search company are looking for in a superintendent. They include:

• A leader that is energetic, and possesses good communication skills both in speaking and writing, is a good listener who considers ideas of others, approachable by all constituents and practices an open-door policy.

• A leader that values the importance of the school/community connection and will integrate into the community and be active and visible.

• A leader that is proficient in school finance, actively pursues alternative funding sources, and is knowledgeable in school facilities/maintenance.

• A visionary, bold leader, who identifies and recruits talent, mentors and empowers others by successfully inspiring and motivating them to achieve at high levels, and is knowledgeable about the use of technology in education.

The salary for the position is based on the experience and qualifications of the candidate, Hague said.

“We give the candidates a range of what superintendents are currently making at like-size districts here in Nebraska to give them a basic idea,” Hague said.