Search for new schools superintendent is on

The ideal candidate to be Hawaii’s next schools superintendent will be a “transformational leader” who encourages innovation and risk-taking, inspires teamwork and demonstrates a deep commitment to helping students maximize their potential, according to a list of job characteristics endorsed by the state Board of Education.

The characteristics are among 11 traits the board unanimously adopted at its meeting Tuesday evening, along with a job description outlining qualifications and responsibilities.

The superintendent position — currently held by Kathryn Matayoshi — will officially be posted Friday. Matayoshi’s term ends June 30.

Board members assured the public Tuesday that they are moving ahead with an extensive search, despite an announcement Monday by retired Principal Darrel Ga­lera that he was resigning from the Board of Education to apply for the schools chief position.

BOE member Patricia Bergin, who serves on the committee leading the job search, encouraged anyone interested to apply.

“While we are encouraged that a candidate like Mr. Ga­lera, with his wealth of experience, would be interested in applying for the superintendent position, we know that there are many qualified candidates out there, and we hope that they are encouraged to consider applying,” Bergin said at the meeting.

“Mr. Galera will have to go through the same screening process as all other applicants, and every applicant will be considered on an equal playing field,” she said.

Bergin added that Ray and Associates, an Iowa-­based executive search firm, has been hired to “actively recruit” for the position.

Some of the other 11 job characteristics, which the search firm helped draft, include:

>> The ability to foster a culture that generates genuine enthusiasm for positive and meaningful change.

>> A strong commitment to make all decisions based on what is best for students.

>> Knowledge of research and best practice in the area of educational data and accountability systems, including how such systems can support student achievement and equity.

>> The ability to become familiar with Hawaii’s people, culture, history, environment, geography and politics.

The traits were narrowed from a list of 27 characteristics that more than 1,700 individuals weighed in on via an online survey.

The job description, meanwhile, states that the Department of Education — the 10th-largest district in the nation and the only statewide school district — oversees 256 schools, 180,000 students, approximately 22,300 permanent employees and 13,500 casual hires and substitute employees. It has an annual operating budget of $1.9 billion.

Candidates must hold a master’s degree in education, business or public administration, or a closely related field. Qualified candidates also need a minimum of five years of experience in “progressively increasing leadership roles in public or business administration working with multi-year strategic planning and budgeting,” the description says, adding that at least three years need to have been in an educational environment.

The BOE announced in October that Mata­yoshi’s contract would not be renewed. The board’s chairman said at the time that the state has an opportunity to move public education in a new direction, citing a revised strategic plan and changes under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

Under a search process the board adopted last year, its search committee will solicit applications through April and recommend at least two finalists to the full board in May.