 |
Head of School Search
__________________________________________________
Current News
New Head of School Hired
 Following a unanimous vote, the Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of William S. Perrine (“Bill”) as Head of School for Oak Meadow Montessori School effective July 1, 2012. Bill is currently Head of the Upper Division at Friends Academy, a co-educational day school serving approximately 270 students from preschool through grade 8 in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. For more information about Bill and to read the announcement, click here.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you for engaging with us in this very important work with such passion and commitment to Oak Meadow. This concludes the work of the Search Committee, and we thank them for all of their efforts. We will be working over the coming months on a continued smooth transition. Please join us in welcoming Bill and his family to the Oak Meadow community.
For further information, please contact the Head of School Search Committee at: searchcommittee@oakmeadow.org.
__________________________________________________
Search Committee
| The Search Committee is comprised of Board members, faculty, staff and parents in order to generate the highest level of direct and relevant feedback. This eleven member team will meet often to coordinate all aspects of the Search process, including coordination of many complementary forums for community-wide involvement. |
Questions? Email: searchcommittee@oakmeadow.org
| Search Committee Members |
| Lyn Goldman |
Chair of the Search Committee, Trustee and parent of two students (LE and UE) |
| Blaine Alvarez-Backus |
Parents Association (OMPA) Board member, and parent of two students (CH and UE) |
| Jennifer Bitner |
Learning Specialist and parent of two Oak Meadow students (CH) |
Barbara Brady |
Trustee and parent of two students (CH and LE) |
Buck Chintamani |
Trustee and parent of two students (LE and UE) |
John Collins |
Trustee and parent of two students (CH and LE) |
| Robin Foley |
Trustee, ex officio member of the Search Committee, and parent of two students (CH and LE) |
Elizabeth Hickey |
Children's House Lead Teacher and alumni parent '10 |
| Barbara Orlowitz |
Director of Secondary School Placement, Middle School Team Leader |
| Anita Tarantino |
OMPA President and parent of two students (LE and UE) |
Darlene Vanstone |
Trustee and parent of one student (LE) |
Back to Top
| Search Consultants |
| Jeffrey Bradley |
Partner, Educators' Collaborative, LLC |
| Jean Lamont |
Partner, Educators' Collaborative, LLC |
Back to Top
Back to Top
Download pdf of FAQs here.
 |
|
|
| Frequently Asked Questions |
|
Q: How was the Search committee formed?
A: Parents, faculty and staff comprise the Search Committee in order to solicit the most direct and relevant feedback from constituents. Community members should utilize Search Committee members as their representation and as their source of communication for status updates and the process. The size of the Search Committee is based upon the optimal number of people who can meet extensively at times, including during the workday, nights and weekends if needed.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: What does the Search Committee do?
A: Work includes consideration of a search consultant, development of a position description, multiple interviews, candidate visits, and communication with constituents. The Search Committee does not make the final hiring decision, but they are responsible for the heavy lifting and will bring relevant information and recommendations to the Board along the way.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: How will my voice be heard if I am not on the Search Committee?
A: Complementary forums have begun and more are planned in order to solicit feedback, ideas, and assistance. We will be looking for advisory input from many. Forum ideas include surveys, focus groups, and interviews. We recognize that parents have deep talent and expertise that can help us in this process.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: What are we looking for in the next Head of School?
A: The broad focus will be on continuing our trajectory of growth, development and learning. With regard to specific qualities and qualifications, we have held community discussions centered on our school's needs along with the yearlong Strategic Visioning process that identified key goals and initiatives for Oak Meadow, including our Head of School leadership.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: Will the search focus on candidates with a Montessori background?
A: A Montessori background would be a wonderful strength, but this is not a necessity, as demonstrated by previous Head of School Dave Stettler's ability to lead Oak Meadow without the benefit of explicit Montessori training. Viable candidates must be philosophically attuned to Maria Montessori's principles, appreciate the way children are taught in a modern Montessori environment and embrace the culture as it exists in this particular Montessori school. As we are learning from the Strategic Visioning process, a Montessori education aligns very well with 21st Century skills. Oak Meadow is in a very strong position thanks to the deep Montessori experience of our faculty and staff.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: What does the Interim Head of School do? Why use one?
A: Paul Wenninger is an experienced Head of School and is responsible for continuing our trajectory during his time with us. The use of an Interim Head is an established process in the field of education. Many retired Heads and senior administrators with deep experience have fully engaged careers as Interim Heads. By using an Interim Head, we have the opportunity to be appropriately thoughtful and deliberative in planning and implementing a comprehensive search process. This will also make it possible for us to make our hiring decision for our permanent Head of School early in the school year, when top candidates are available. Paul has already engaged fully in working with students, parents, faculty, administrative staff and the Board to ensure progress is made on all initiatives, including the Strategic Vision.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: What is the timing of the Interim Head of School?
A: Paul Wenninger, our Interim Head of School is committed to serve until June 30, 2012. Expectations are the long-term Head of School will be hired by the first quarter of 2012 in order to begin on July 1, 2012. The Board of Trustees believes that this gives us plenty of time to find the most appropriate candidate for our permanent Head of School.
__________________________________________________
Q: Is Paul Wenninger or Dave Stettler involved in the Search?
A: The search is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee.
__________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
Q: How will communication be handled?
A: There have been numerous personal forums and meetings so far with parents, faculty and staff. Written notifications have also been sent. Additional meetings and forums will be scheduled throughout the process to communicate progress and solicit input. Additionally, Faculty, Parent, and Board committee members will give periodic updates to their constituencies. Check this Head Search webpage for updates which will be posted as information becomes available.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: Will there be Admission and Retention Issues due to the transition?
A: Oak Meadow is a strong school with experienced Montessori educators and leaders serving as faculty and as administrators. The students are deeply engaged and are growing as quiet, confident learners. Students and families are here for the educational experience they will continue to receive. This education will continue to be supported by the deep resources currently in place.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: Will there be financial implications or tuition increases due to the search?
A: The school finances are administered in such a way that there is financial room for the Head of School search process with no material change to current operations.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: How will the needs of students be fulfilled?
A: From an emotional security and continuity perspective, the students are deeply engaged with their teachers and their classrooms. With respect to other processes such as financial aid and secondary school admissions, those tasks are currently being conducted by both Mr. Wenninger and the senior leadership team. Those senior leaders remain and will continue their commitment to these tasks.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: What are the next steps over the next few months?
A: With Paul Wenninger serving as our Interim Head through June 30, 2012, next steps include identifying and interviewing candidates for the long-term Head of School. The Search Committee has been working through the summer months on this effort. If you have additional questions, please email searchcommittee@oakmeadow.org.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: How is the Strategic Visioning Process proceeding?
How will the new Head of School be involved?
A: The year of strategic visioning has concluded and our Strategic Vision reflects our opportunities, challenges and growth as a Montessori school in the 21st Century. Criteria for the new Head of School will include shared values and the ability to embrace the initiatives that have grown from our visioning. The candidate interview process will be intense in order to ensure that the new Head of School's philosophy is consistent with our values and initiatives that will be described in the Strategic Roadmap.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: Who will hire the new Head of School?
A: The Board of Trustees is responsible for hiring the Head of School.
__________________________________________________
|
|
Q: Who is the Search Consultant and why do we need one?
A: Educators’ Collaborative, LLC is a consortium of nine former independent school heads and has been in business since 1971. With their nationwide network, they have deep experience in searches for independent school heads and in other consulting services.
Search consultants have deep experience in recruitment and in-depth vetting of candidates. They will involve constituents of the school community in the process, coordinate interviews/visits, develop a comprehensive position statement for candidates and ensure harmony with our Strategic Visioning process which is already underway. We are excited to work with Educators’ Collaborative and they have already shown commitment and enthusiasm for our community.
__________________________________________________ |
|
|
Upcoming Events:
Check back for more
updates.
_______________________
Recent News
New Head of School
announced
On-campus finalist
interviews conducted
throughout the week
Semifinalist
interviews announced
Interim Head of
School Appointed
Job Posted
Past Announcements
_______________________
F.A.Q.s
_______________________
|
 |
|
