FAQs

Boards Of Education And Superintendents

1. What are School Exec Connect areas of specialization?

School Exec Connect consultants conduct searches for all levels of school administrators including superintendents, central office administrators, and principals.
We also consult with boards and district leaders on a variety of leadership topics including: strategic planning, teambuilding, superintendent evaluation, board governance, goal setting, board retreats and communication assessments.
We offer mentoring and executive coaching for administrators who wish to increase their leadership skill.

2. Does School Exec Connect conduct searches for organizations other than public schools?

School Exec Connect undertakes searches for private schools, charter schools, technical/vocational schools, special education consortiums, and all other organizations related to education.

3. What is the suggested timeframe for a superintendent search?

Traditional searches usually extend over a period of 16-18 weeks, but the timeframe may be shortened or lengthened. The School Exec Connect consultants tailor your search based upon your specific needs. We have conducted searches in as little time as three weeks.

4. Does School Exec Connect actively recruit candidates as well as accept applications?

Yes, the School Exec Connect consultants have an extensive network. They hold memberships in numerous state and nation educational organizations, allowing them to know personally many of the finest school administrators nation-wide. The best service for schools districts is a combination of accepting applications and actively recruiting candidates for your position.

5. Does your firm have experience working in districts with a diverse population? Can you bring us a diverse candidate pool?

Our firm has worked successfully in many districts where minority populations comprise the majority membership of the school district. We have an excellent record of including women and minority leaders in our candidate pool. Our firm is also represented by highly successful minority consultants.

6. Is the search guaranteed?

If the educational executive resigns or is dismissed within twenty-four months of the starting date, the School Exec Connect consultants will conduct a new search for the board at no additional fees to the board except expenses. We also guarantee we will not recruit a school administrator we place throughout the term of the first two contracts.

7. Tell us about your other consulting services?

We have an array of services that support Boards of Education and District Leadership including Strategic Planning, Team Building, and Superintendent Evaluations. We will tailor our services to your specific needs and provide references from satisfied clients.

8. What will the School Exec Connect consultants do for us?

If you are engaged in an executive search, School Exec Connect search consultants will take you through all stages of the search from the initial planning meeting to the final signing of the contract by the new school administrator. Throughout the search, your consultants will communicate with you, assure that you feel knowledgeable and secure throughout all phases of the process, and give you specific strategies and assistance in areas such as salary information and suggested interview questions.
If you wish to engage our consultants for other leadership consulting, we will meet with you and tailor a plan that specifically meets your needs.

9. How does our district learn more about a possible search for our district or about consulting opportunities for our district?

Call the School Exec Connect office at 312-780-1462 or use this website to contact Kevin O’Mara, the firm’s president. We will answer your questions, and if you wish, prepare a proposal for you. After reviewing the proposal, you may request that members of the firm make a face-to-face presentation for your board or superintendent.

Candidates

1. If I have questions about a search, whom should I call?

You should contact a School Exec Connect partner through our website. Feel free to contact them with any questions that may help you make a good decision about your candidacy before, during, or after a search. You may also contact the School Exec Connect office at 312-780-1462.

2. May I apply for more than one position at a time?

Yes, if you see several positions for which you feel you are well qualified you should apply for them. Be careful, however, not to apply for every open position. You are better off targeting a few selective searches than applying for all that are open.

3. Must I apply on-line?

Yes, our applications are only received on-line.

4. How much of the application is completed on line?

Will I need to mail anything? Your entire application will be on-line. You will be asked to bring other information if you are selected for an interview.

5. Must I complete the application in one sitting?

No. The applications are designed for you to complete them when time allows. You may store an application and return to it at a later time. You will submit it only when you are finished with the entire application.

6. May I update my application with additional information at a later date?

Yes, you may make changes to your application while it is stored in our data base.

7. How will I know where I am in the process?

Each search is listed with its own specific calendar. You may follow the calendar to determine where the search is in its process. When the search is completed, the successful candidate will be listed. You may also e-mail or call the consultants working with the search if you have specific questions.

8. Can my application be kept on file for the next time I apply?

Yes, you can store an application for several years before you must reapply by filling out a new application form.

9. Is my application treated confidentially?

We hold strict confidentiality with all applicants to the extent allowed by law and the requirements of each state. Different districts request different processes. We will not make your application public without your prior knowledge.

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SCHOOL EXEC CONNECT provides customized services to boards of education, school districts and candidates seeking employment. We offer full consulting services that are designed to meet every district’s particular needs.