Polk County Public Schools
The school board is seeking the input of parents, students and the community in identifying the characteristics sought for the new superintendent. Dr. Gail F. McKinzie has announced her retirement effective November 1, 2010.
The school board has published a survey for parents, students and the community and is holding two community forums on Tuesday, March 9. The survey and forums are designed to assist them in hiring the next superintendent for Florida’s eighth-largest school district. Polk is also among the nation’s largest 40 school districts.
The survey, titled “Leadership Profile Assessment” is available at the school district’s home page, www.polk-fl.net, under the “Announcements” heading.
Two community forums will be held Tuesday, March 9. Both will begin at 7 p.m. and will be led by the Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates superintendent search firm hired by the school board.
The forum locations will be the Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses of Polk State College. Polk State College’s Lakeland campus is located at 3425 Winter Lake Road and the forum will be held in the Technology Building. Polk State College’s Winter Haven campus is at 999 Avenue H, NE and the forum will be held in the Student Center.
The search firm is asking forum attendees to bring their completed surveys with them on March 9. Individuals not able to attend the forums can email, fax or post office mail their surveys to the search firm by March 19. Addresses and a fax number are included on the bottom of page two of the survey. Questions regarding the superintendent search should be directed to the school board members office, (863) 534-0529.
In addition, the school board has also announced a superintendent search timeline. This timeline is subject to change.
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Leadership Profile Development | Tuesday, March 9 Wednesday, March 10 |
| Leadership Profile Report presented to board | 9 to 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 6 |
| Board seminar on interviews, presentation about final stages of search process, candidates list | 9 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 4 |
| Board interviews of semifinalists | 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, May 10 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., Wednesday, May 12 |
| Board identifies finalists | Wednesday, May 12 following last interview |
| Board interviews finalists | Monday, May 17 Tuesday, May 18 Wednesday, May 19 |
| Board meets to identify preferred candidate | 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 25 |
| Board site visit | Tuesday, June 1 Wednesday, June 2 |
| Announcement of appointment | Tuesday, June 8 |
| Board workshop with new superintendent | After new superintendent is on staff |
