Searching for the right fit

Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) continues to prepare for the retirement of current Superintendent Jim Copeland. Copeland’s final day will be June 30, 2022—the end of the current school year.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to contract the Wyoming School Board Association (WSBA) $65,000 to assist in the search for a new superintendent. The Wyoming School Board Association will assist by creating ads and other materials, as well as expectations of the new superintendent. The search to replace the superintendent was said to be time consuming and required a lot of effort even with the assistance of the Association.

The WSBA’s proposal is a process to assist the school board in recruiting, selecting and developing an educational leader who can multiply his or her talents to mobilize the teaching and learning forces within the educational community.

Determining the qualifications and expectations for the new superintendent will be a shared responsibility between WSBA and CCSD2. The association and board of trustees will work together to determine what kind of person the board is looking for to lead the district.

WSBA proposed a five phase search for the new superintendent beginning with the groundwork, developing a time table along with community characteristics and ending with candidate interviews.

A sample interview schedule and sample interview with sample questions was discussed in the potential search plan for the new superintendent. A draft time table of dates and responsibilities of both parties was also laid out in the potential plan for the superintendent search. The district is seeking a superintendent with certain qualities and characteristics, so a survey will be given to all school board trustees to determine the requirements and expectations of the new superintendent.

WSBA’s proposal stated, “Every search is customized to meet district and community needs. WSBA’s experienced search consultants will, throughout the process, present the board with options to consider. However, all decisions regarding the process are made by the board. The consultant’s job is to facilitate the process, advise the board and professionally handle the numerous details involved in this important task.”

After approving a salary of $115,000 for the superintendent position, the board voted to begin running ads for the position as of November 29. With Copeland’s final day being at the end of the 2021/2022 school year, it is expected the new superintendent will begin July 1, 2022 or sooner.

Internal and external candidates for the position are encouraged to apply.

The next meeting of Carbon County School District No. 2 Board of trustees will be held at 4 p.m. Monday December 20, 2021 at the Central Administration Office in Saratoga, Wyoming.