Board of Education Receives Feedback On Superintendent Search

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — After online polling, public forums and a delayed meeting, the Vestavia Hills Board of Education received feedback on Monday, Oct. 30 on its superintendent search from a consultant for the Alabama Association of School Boards, whom the system hired to assist in the search. AASB consultant Terry Jenkins delivered the online survey results to the board to help direct the superintendent search, which has been underway since former Superintendent Sheila Phillips stepped down in August.

The survey saw 1,063 responses in the 10 days it was live online. Just over 75 percent of respondents are Vestavia Hills parents. The most important characteristics indicated in the survey were effective staff recruiting, good communication with both staff and parents, and student safety and discipline. Students who participated in the survey were primarily concerned with the handling of a multi-million dollar budget. General consensus on education level was neutrality on candidates possessing a doctorate, but expectation of a master's degree.

Respondents were united in their desire for a superintendent with administrative experience at 90 percent, and 87 percent want a candidate with classroom experience, though only about half of respondents expect a candidate with prior superintendent experience.

Jenkins said at the meeting that the survey results were consistent with the feedback given in in-person meetings.

The board also discussed a base salary for the position, and came to a decision with a potentially negotiable $190,000. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Birmingham Patch morning newsletter.)