The Seattle School Board voted unanimously to invite two (2) finalists to continue in the Superintendent Search process. These individuals were selected from an outstanding national group of six semifinalists interviewed by the Board over the weekend.
"We had a very qualified pool of semifinalists from which to choose," said school board president Cheryl Chow. "High-caliber candidates from across the nation were attracted and recruited, and the entire Board was very impressed by their leadership quality, educational experience, and personal enthusiasm. "Our interview questions were designed to probe for experience and ability related to the nine points of our Superintendent Profile," Chow continued. "During each two-hour interview, we were able to get a very good understanding of the strengths of each individual as they relate to the needs of our district."
The two finalists are Maria Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D., currently Superintendent, Charleston County School District, Charleston, S.C.; and Gregory Thornton, Ed.D., who serves as Chief Academic Officer of the School District of Philadelphia.
"Both finalists clearly demonstrated to us that they have the qualities we are seeking as outlined in the Superintendent Profile," said Chow. "Their depth and breadth of understanding of what is needed to support teachers to do their best is impressive, and their passion for academic achievement for all students was very evident. In addition, they both have the experience and qualities that will enable them to be successful in building relationships internally and externally, providing leadership throughout our district, and effectively managing resources."
Goodloe-Johnson and Thornton are career educators with 25-plus years of experience that includes working in large urban school systems. Both began their careers as classroom teachers, progressing to principal and then to senior leadership roles.
The board has invited the two finalists to Seattle for a day of interviews and meetings. They will visit schools, meet with the school board and the district's leadership team, and also meet with an invited group of representatives from a wide array of community organizations.
The board will then conduct site visits to the districts where the candidates are currently employed. The board is on track to complete the hiring process and name a new Superintendent before the end of April.
Additional background and timeline information is available at www.seattleschools.org/area/board[[In-content Ad]]
