USD 383 opens survey for new principal

Sophia Comas, Sports Editor

As the 2018-2019 school year nears it end, USD 383 has been planning for a change within the walls of Manhattan High.

The search for a new principal has commenced, and the district is looking to the community for someone who has the potential for taking the new position currently held by Greg Hoyt, who is retiring after 6 years of being principal at MHS.

In the hopes that whomever is selected for the position is beneficial to all, USD 383 has opened an online community survey for anyone to provide input about what qualities they want in a high school principal. Composed of three questions, the survey can be found on the district website for anyone to complete.

“Being a high school principal is a tremendous responsibility and doing it well requires a wide array of expertise,” superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade said in a written statement. “The online community survey is one way we are gathering input about qualifications, skills and attributes people consider most important for the success of MHS’s next leader.”

As participants open the website to take the survey, they will be met with a bright red link that takes them directly to a webpage that explains the survey and its purposes. A small paragraph then describes how the responses will be used, saying that both Wade and the Human Resources director for the school will use them in the interview process when selecting the new principal.

“Although every high school has some similarity in leadership and management expectations, each high school also has its own distinct culture and climate,” Wade said. “Committee members will use input from the survey as questions are written and candidates are screened and interviewed by the committee.”

The survey requires that participants answer the three questions provided, beginning with what the community thinks a new principal should prioritize. The questions are listed as follows:

 

  1. What should be the top three areas of focus for the new Manhattan High School principal?
  2. What is the most important thing candidates for this position should know about the   Manhattan High School community?
  3. Is there anything else that the interview committee should consider when selecting the next  principal?

 

The district will then collect the responses to have a better idea as to what the community values in school leadership and take them into consideration throughout the interview process. Those wishing to complete the survey have until the closing date, which is 5 p.m. on Feb. 15.