The following email was sent out to the Wayland Schools mailing list:

To all Wayland High School Parents, Staff Members, and Students:

I am writing to begin the process through which we, as a community, will search for and select a new principal for Wayland High School. We have been fortunate to have John Ritchie serve as an interim principal, providing steady leadership through this transition year. I plan to engage students, staff members, and parents in this process. I will be asking for representatives to serve on a Selection Advisory Committee*. The hiring process essentially has three stages:

The first stage in this process is to hold open forums that will serve as focus groups and will help define the type of leader we seek to hire. That is, we will be asking attendees to describe the type of principal they envision leading the high school both now and into the future. At this point in time, we will also begin advertising for the position. I invite you to attend one of the forums listed below.

The second stage will be to ask parents, the high school faculty, and students to create a process through which they will send representatives to the Selection Advisory Committee who will represent the diverse membership of each constituency group. The Committee will sort through all resumes, choose candidates for an interview, interview these candidates, and recommend finalists for consideration. I will outline the details regarding the Committee’s composition and timeline at the open forums noted above.

The third stage will involve candidate visits and another round of open forums during which parents, staff members, and students will be given the opportunity to interview and hear from each finalist. Once I receive this input, check references, and conduct follow-up interviews, I will select the successful candidate.

Choosing a principal for Wayland High School is an extremely important decision. My intention is to give the community voice, which in turn will enable me to make the right choice for Wayland.

We have scheduled this process such that it will be completed before February vacation. To begin, we encourage you to attend a principal search forum. (Note: The student forum will be scheduled shortly.) Please join us.

Parent Forum, Friday, November 22, 7:45 A.M., Lecture Hall
Faculty Forum, Monday, November 18, 2:30 P.M., Lecture Hall

Sincerely,

Paul Stein
Superintendent

* The Selection Advisory Committee will be composed of 5 faculty members (including at least one department head), 4 parents, a METCO parent, 2 students, an assistant principal, a teaching assistant, an administrative assistant, 2 central office staff members (including the Assistant Superintendent), and a principal.