Consultant meets with staff, parents in MFISD supe search
Marble Falls Independent School District staff and parents offered one-one-one input May 19-20 on traits sought for in a new superintendent during sessions held in the community room in the MFISD administration building. Kay Stripling of Meadowlakes (right), who has graduates from the district and a child currently enrolled, discussed course offerings and class scheduling with educational consultant Gary Patterson during the May 20 session. Staff photo by Connie Swinney
CONNIE SWINNEY • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — Officials wrapped up parent and staff meetings May 20 but offered more time for public input by extending an online survey deadline in the search process for a new Marble Falls Independent School District superintendent.
The school board launched the search with an educational consultant to replace outgoing MFISD Superintendent Rob O’Connor, who took a superintendent position at Sharyland ISD in South Texas. O’Connor plans to take over in Sharyland in July.
Officials have received about 40 requests for applications in two weeks since the job was posted, said Gary Patterson, educational consultant with Walsh, Anderson, Gallegos, Green and Trevino, PC.
“That many interested is a good sign we may eventually choose from more than 50 candidates,” he said.
The consultant has begun compiling information from the school board as well as during a round of input sessions with parents and staff May 19-20.
“I saw some common themes with staff,” Patterson said. “Most of the staff were interested in their next superintendent being someone who is people-centered, that got to know their employees, who is visible on campuses where they could see students and teachers interact on a daily basis.
“(They want) someone of high character and high morals,” he added. “They wanted to see the board and the superintendent continue to work well together and send that message that they’re here for staff, the success of staff, the students and the betterment of the community.”
Grandparent Lynn Craig Tannehill of Granite Shoals attended the session May 19. Her children, who are now adults, attended Marble Falls schools, and she currently has grandchildren enrolled.
“I would like to see where we come together to have our educational system grow,” she said. “I wanted to find out what our community is looking for in a new superintendent and hope that it’s someone that is vested with our kids and plans on being a part of our community, not just employed by our community.”
Parents also expressed concerns about staff turnover, class scheduling, district growth and communication.
To continue collecting data, officials have extended an online survey deadline from May 18 to May 22.
Questions 1-3 ask respondents to prioritize what they believe are the top three qualities and/or qualifications for a new school superintendent.
Question 4 asks what areas of expertise the next MFISD superintendent should have to successfully lead the district.
The final question asks what top priority or special area respondents would like addressed by the new superintendent.
The survey can be found online at www.marblefallsisd.org.
“I’ll get all that information and share it with the board as they work through the process,” Patterson said.
The public is asked to contact the consultant at (210) 827-7439 or pattersongaryh@gmail.com.
Applications for superintendent candidates are due by June 10.
Interviews are expected July 17 and 22.
connie@thepicayune.com