Superintendent Search FAQ's

Question
Who conducts superintendent searches?
Answer
Each search is facilitated by a team consisting of Association staff and led by Bruce Johnson. The search begins with an initial workshop with the board to identify the type of person best suited to assist the district in accomplishing its goals and priorities.

Question
How will AASB know what the board and district need in a superintendent?
Answer
AASB will meet with the board to identify district goals and priorities as well as specific selection criteria. These will be used throughout the search to identify the best candidates for the position.

Question
How can the board include the community in identifying needs and priorities?
Answer
If the board wishes, AASB will schedule community and/or staff forums to gather additional information regarding district needs and selection criteria. A combination of the board's and community/staff criteria would then be used during the search.

Question
Can the community be involved in the selection of candidates?
Answer
Some boards have finalists meet with the community in an open forum at the end of the search process. These sessions, moderated by the AASB consultant, are structured to invite questions from the audience, yet preclude inappropriate or illegal questions of the candidates.

Question
Who will review the resumes and applications of potential candidates?
Answer
The Association will develop an application tailored to the goals and candidate criteria identified by the board. This application and all other initial documents will be reviewed by AASB and the Board of Education prior to interviewing candidates.

Question
How many candidates does the board interview?
Answer
Most Boards select three or four candidates to interview in the district.

Question
What questions should the board ask of candidates?
Answer
The AASB consultant will assist the board to identify a set of questions that pertain to the selection criteria.

Question
How long will the search take?
Answer
A thorough search can take as long as four to five months from the initial workshop that identifies board priorities and candidate criteria.

Question
How does the Association's Superintendent Search Service differ from other consultants?
Answer
The Association exists for no other reason than to help boards of education. All the resources of the Association are used to ensure the search results in the best candidate for the district, not the best district for a particular candidate.

Question
How often will the search consultant be in the district?
Answer
For most searches, the consultant conducts an initial meeting which identifies selection criteria and district goals and needs.

A second session with the board is scheduled just prior to the time the board begins interviewing candidates. This session provides information about the five to seven candidates and permits the board an opportunity to develop interview questions.

A third session is scheduled for the board to interview candidates.

A final session is scheduled when the new superintendent is in the district. This workshop helps to clarify board and superintendent responsibilities and priorities.

Please contact Bruce Johnson at
(907) 586-1083,
or via e-mail at for more information.