To replace Dr. Fitz, finding a leader who fits Cornwall School

CORNWALL — The question was, what kind of school principal do Cornwall residents want?

The immediate answer was a resounding, “Someone just like the one we have now.�

But there is no sense in dwelling on how much Dr. Kathleen Fitzgibbons will be missed when she leaves Cornwall Consolidated School, for a new career as a minister, at the end of the school year.

There is still a lot to be learned from her nurturing spirit and strength of character. But Cornwall residents and school staff know it is time to forge ahead and keep a positive attitude.

At a community meeting hosted March 17 by the Principal Search Committee and regional schools Superintendent Patricia Chamberlain, the underlying mindset of the 38 people in attendance was that Dr. Fitz provided a good jumping off point for finding a new leader for the school. She has shown them what works, and even a few areas where some bumping up may be good.

It is also apparently good timing; an unprecedented number of candidates are expected to apply for the position.

Chamberlain said this is her 18th principal search in eight years in Region One (the six-town district also includes Sharon, Salisbury, North Canaan, Falls Village and Kent). Typically, there are about 18 candidates at the beginning of the process. She expects to begin whittling candidates down this time from more than 20. The economic climate is having an effect, but so are societal changes.

“People move around more,� she said. “They are willing to move farther for a job. They tend to look for change more often. A principal would stay at one school 10 to 15, even 20 years. Now seven years is a good run.�

The 16-member search committee is comprised of teachers and school staff, parents, school board members and community members. Often, those categories overlap, so many members will have more than one viewpoint.

The committee will screen all applicants and send as many candidates as it wants to the Board of Education to presumably pare down further.  The board can choose to have the Region One central office administer a performance exam that would include tasks such as analyzing a teacher profile.

Of course, candidates also have to pass background checks.

This will all happen within the next six weeks or so. The goal is to have a candidate and contract ready for the school board to sign at its May 21 meeting.

Chamberlain noted that the background check is very thorough, going beyond the standard criminal check.

“We spend a great deal of time on it. Some states have lower standards for certification. We have had applicants who did not make it through the criminal background check here, even though they were working for another school district. We do site visits. We network with other superintendents. We look for things you won’t see on a written report.�

Find someone who fits

She also warned that the process goes two ways.  It’s very possible to offer the position and be turned down by a candidate. Most are applying for multiple jobs.

School board member Phil Hart said it has happened in Cornwall before.

“We’ve had the best candidate, or two, turn us down.�

But Chamberlain gave the committee a piece of advice: ask candidates what they know about Cornwall and the school.

“A good candidate has done their homework. They will be able to tell you about yourself, and know if this is a place they want to work and live. You should be that person’s first choice.�

But, in the end, there is no pressure to hire someone this spring. The consensus was to hold out, and wait for the best person. An interim principal is an alternative, and can be contracted for a half or full school year. Chamberlain recommended a full year, if an interim is hired. Fall is not the recommended time to do a search, she added.

Must tell stories well

So, what do Cornwall residents want  in a new principal, whoever he or she might be?

Through a series of “Post-it note surveys,� they expressed priorities that were stuck on large, hanging sheets of paper. Those posters will be used as a reference throughout the process.

There were the predictable priorities; leadership, organizational skills, a good communicator and role model, fearless. Must love children.

There were also not-so-predictable, but just as important characteristics. The principal should be easygoing and open-minded; have an open-door policy; live in town; be able and willing to teach students conflict resolution; and be able to wear the many hats required in a small school.

And there were priorities with a definite Cornwall bent. The ideal candidate  should: love books and the arts,  care about the environment, be forward thinking, listen to ideas from parents and the community. This person should also embrace  life in Cornwall.

In a tribute to Dr. Fitz’s special skill, they also want someone who can tell a good story.

Other areas of concern for school

The meeting was also an opportunity for community members to lobby for other issues, such as shorter bus rides, longer lunch periods, more cultural programs and no all-day kindergarten.

Middle school was a focus of some concern. There was a call for more discipline at that level and continuing encouragement of inventiveness and educational excellence, as opposed to standardized thinking and testing.  They want someone who will help the teachers — who spend three years with those students — develop relationships that encourage those children to learn and to be good people.

Leslie Elias popped in toward the end of the process, and offered “sense of humor,� to the approval of the crowd.

On more logistical notes, there was a request to be sensitive to the cost of living in Cornwall, and that the subject be broached with candidates.

Candidates may be relocating to the area, but there are also many teachers around the region who have administrative degrees.

The contract will likely be for at least two years, particularly if a candidate is uprooting a family to come here.

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