Bethel Board of Ed Begins Search for New Superintendent

With the announcement earlier this year that Bethel Superintendent Dr. Kevin Smith will be leaving to head up Wilton Public Schools at the end of this year, the Board of Education (BOE) is preparing to begin the search for a new superintendent.

“The Board will follow a formal, intensive candidate search similar to the process followed when Dr. Kevin Smith was chosen to replace retiring Bethel Superintendent Dr. Gary Chesley,” the BOE said in release issued Thursday.

To that end, the BOE will be hiring a professional headhunting company to lead the search, beginning with the development of a Candidate Profile of desired qualities and experience.

Read the full statement below:

One of the Board of Education’s primary responsibilities in assisting the District to achieve the Mission [to improve student achievement] is the selection of a Superintendent of Schools. This is, without doubt, one of the most important decisions a Board makes. The Bethel Board of Education takes this responsibility, on behalf of all constituents and the Bethel community in particular, very seriously.
 
The Superintendent of Schools, pursuant to Connecticut law, is the Chief Executive Officer of a District’s public schools. He or she is responsible for leading and managing the School District, for hiring and supervising District personnel, for developing and administering the education budget, and for advising the Board on developments in education, Board policies, and applicable laws.
 
The Bethel School District has been extremely fortunate to have been led by two very exceptional Superintendents over the past 10 years, which have been marked by significant transformational changes in education throughout the U.S. and Connecticut. Educational reforms have been initiated to provide students with the skills and learning to competitively meet the 21st century demands of a global, knowledge-based economy in which they will eventually work and live. All of our students must become critical thinkers, creative and collaborative problem solvers, and innovators.

The opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, for our students, their teachers, and our entire District Administrative staff, demand that we find the best, most qualified, highly skilled Superintendent. The Board will follow a formal, intensive candidate search similar to the process followed when Dr. Kevin Smith was chosen to replace retiring Bethel Superintendent Dr. Gary Chesley. The Board will be utilizing the services of a professional, highly qualified and respected search firm. Our Superintendent opening will be posted shortly to initiate the candidate search process. The initial step will be the completion of a Superintendent Candidate Profile, i.e. the qualities, characteristics, and experience base expected in Bethel’s next Superintendent of Schools. This will include input from parents and guardians, teachers, District staff and administrators, students, interested community members, and Town officials.

The Board has set an aggressive timetable to accomplish this extremely important task. Progress updates will be provided as we move along the timetable. We ask for your support as we undertake this most important responsibility on behalf of our students, their parents and guardians, and the Town of Bethel.

What qualities do you want to see in Bethel's next Superintendent of Schools?