Northwest ISD SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH Interview Workshop RICK BERRY

Northwest ISD SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH Interview Workshop RICK BERRY, PETER FLYNN, NOLA WELLMAN HAZARD, YOUNG, ATTEA AND ASSOCIATES EXECUTIVE SEARCH

Preparing for the Interviews • Room Set-up: What does it communicate? • Table Name Plates Water • eye contact ? • Review Applications prior to Friday (June 10 th) • Consultants Reviewed Reference Information

Questions and Answers • Questions – between 25 -30 -- 1: 20 • Follow-up pertain to topic • Questions from applicant are important • Answer candidly • Archives of meetings available

Questions and Answers • Actual questions in closed session • Identify lower priority questions in case time runs out. • Same questions asked each applicant. • Hypothetical questions -- applicant’s attitude, reasoning ability and judgment • Experience questions -- applicability Northwest; alignment to profile

Questions may not be asked: • Ancestry or nationality, race • Religion • Marital status, living arrangement or children • Financial; credit rating, debts • Type of discharge from military or branch served • Age • Sex, sexual preference • Arrests • Politics or political preference However, if the applicant brings up…

• • Listening Listen to what is said • Assess substance of the content Listen to how it is said • evaluate the passion or enthusiasm of applicant Applicant able to think on feet? Or caught off balance by anything?

• • Listening Applicant show ability to solve problems, or Outline a process for problem solving ? Applicant’s comfort level Applicant using clear, easy language • Things affecting senses • voice, eye contact, handshake. • Hearing more “I” than “We” ? • Applicant done ‘homework’ or research?

Fit • Consider “fit” for the District • now and future. • Personality, • Ability to develop/maintain positive relationships • with the Board and • broad range of stakeholders

Feedback and Note-taking • Balance - enough feedback - in-depth answers • Note-taking can be a distraction • Space on question form -take notes • Each will have one form for each interview

Rating of the applicants • Resist drawing conclusion after interview • Wait until all applicants questioned. After all applicants have been met… • Which three for a second time and • Those three applicants able lead Northwest ISD ? • Resist ranking them in order

Preferred Applicants from 5/6 to 3 (Tab 3, p. 4) Step 1 Think individually about who … • Can lead to higher level of excellence • Is most acceptable to Board • Is most capable to work with Board Step 2 As a Board, discuss each applicant… • Articulating strengths, concerns and issues • Listening to each other Step 3 Board will not vote in closed session • Based upon responses, consultants perceive which three will participate in second round

Timeliness of the Movement from 5/6 to 3 • Allow time for full discussion • Agreement for the 3 • Staff – prepare packets of materials • Audit • Budget • School Improvement Plan • Organizational Chart • Any other documents

• • • Second Interview Less formal Questions from first round Pursue issues more deeply Look more closely at … • views, practices, style, • competencies, accomplishments, philosophy [Profile] Raise topics and issues unique to Northwest Consultants will prepare an outline.

Exit Interview • President, Vice President and Immediate Past President • Each preferred applicant over breakfast • Debrief - Morning after second interview • Determine continued interest • Respond to any unanswered questions

Questions and Other Issues