Norfolk gears up for superintendent search

NORFOLK

The Norfolk school division's reputation for excellence could offset a waning pool of candidates as the School Board recruits a successor to Superintendent Stephen C. Jones, who's retiring in June.

The board learned of Jones' decision on Wednesday and hasn't had time to plan the process and timeline for hiring his replacement, board member Linda McCluney said.

She said it's possible a new superintendent could be installed immediately after Jones' departure June 30.

Board member Billy Cook said it's also possible the division could be headed by an interim administrator, perhaps Chief Operations Officer Michael Spencer, if a replacement isn't hired before Jones leaves.

Cook predicted the School Board will adopt a recruitment plan within 45 days, and hire a professional headhunting firm 30 to 45 days after that.

The board used Proact Search Inc., a Milwaukee-based firm, when it hired Jones.

John Connolly, a recruitment consultant who advised a superintendent search in Virginia Beach, said Norfolk's 2005 Broad Prize for excellence in urban education is one feature that will attract candidates.

Additionally, "when we market a school district, we don't market just the professional opportunity, but the lifestyle, and I think the lifestyle in Virginia is outstanding," said Connolly, who is with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates.

Yet higher demands on superintendents everywhere, plus the recession's squeeze on school budgets, has fewer educators interested in becoming superintendents than in previous years, he said.

Jones said Wednesday that Norfolk could face a $40 million cut in state and city funding combined for the 2010-11 school budget. The budget this year is $327 million.

Nonetheless, there will be educators interested in leading a mid size urban system such as Norfolk's, which has about 31,500 students, said Ronald Barnes of the BWP & Associates recruiting firm in Illinois.

"I call some of them urban warriors - they love to get into urban centers and do what's great for kids," Barnes said.

The search process probably will include input from Norfolk school parents and staff on what they want in a new superintendent.

"We've got to get the community's feel for who the candidates are; that will be a big part of this for me," Cook said.

State law requires that a new superintendent shall be appointed by the School Board within 180 days of when a vacancy occurs.

Jones' retirement will cap five years as superintendent. His predecessor, John O. Simpson, was superintendent for six years.

Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com