Superintendent Search
On April 18, 2013 the Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved the hiring of Karen Garza, Ph.D., as the Division Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2017. Details.
Background
On September 22, 2011, Superintendent Jack D. Dale announced his retirement from Fairfax County Public Schools effective June 30, 2013.
On November 8, 2012, the Fairfax County School Board hired the search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) to assist the Board in the search for a new Division Superintendent.
Beginning in December 2012, HYA met with community and staff members during individual interviews and focus group meetings to gather input to determine the primary characteristics desired in the new superintendent. More than 50 sessions were held with individuals and groups, in addition to eight open community forums, and two FCPS employee forums. An online survey was used to gather additional input from parents, employees, and community members during a two month period. The interviews, focus group meetings, and the survey also provided information about the strengths and challenges of the school system for the future.
Using the information collected, HYA drafted the Leadership Profile Report and the desired characteristics of the next superintendent. The Board discussed and revised the draft Leadership Profile Report and draft desired characteristics on December 20, 2012.
In January 2013, HYA presented the updated information to the community during six sessions for individuals, groups, and four open community forums. HYA collected the feedback and shared the information with the Board.
On January 30, 2013, the Board discussed and approved the final versions of the Desired Characteristics and the Leadership Profile Report.
In March and April 2013, the Board conducted candidate interviews. The Board announced Karen Garza, Ph.D. as the preferred candidate on April 10, and voted to approve her appointment on April 18.
Timeline for Superintendent Search
| Date | Meeting |
|---|---|
July 1, 2013 |
New Superintendent Assumes Responsibilities |
April 18, 2013 |
Announce New Superintendent |
April 17, 2013 |
Closed meeting. Not open to the public. |
April 16, 2013 |
Site visit to Lubbock, TX. (Closed meeting. Not open to the public) |
April 6, 2013 |
Closed meeting. Not open to the public. |
Apr. 2 - 5, 2013 |
Semifinalist interviews with stakeholder committee involved. (Closed meeting. Not open to the public.) |
Mar. 14 - 17, 2013 |
Initial candidate interviews. (Closed meeting. Not open to the public.) |
Jan. 30, 2013 |
School Board finalizes Leadership Profile Report |
Jan. 23, 2013 |
Online Survey Closed |
Jan. 14 - 15, 2013 |
Community Forums to Review the Draft of Leadership Profile Report |
Dec. 20, 2013 |
Draft of Leadership Profile Report Presented to School Board |
Dec. 3 - 7, 2012 |
Community Forums to Identify Desired Characteristics |
Nov. 26, 2012 |
Online Survey Opens |
Community and Employee Engagement
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
Jan. 2013 |
Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates conducted community meetings to review the draft of the Desired Characteristics for the superintendent. |
Centreville HS, Gatehouse Administrative Center, Hayfield SS, South Lakes HS |
Dec. 2012 |
Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates conducted community meetings to develop a list of Desired Characteristics for Superintendent. |
Annandale HS, Gatehouse Administrative Center, Langley HS, Robinson SS, South County HS |
School Board Meetings Related to Superintendent Search
Please refer to the School Board calendar page for the date, time and location of all School Board meetings.
| Date | Meeting | Resources |
|---|---|---|
March 11, 2013 |
School Board work session on Superintendent Search |
|
Jan. 30, 2013 |
School Board work session on Superintendent Search |
|
Jan. 14, 2013 |
School Board work session on Superintendent Search |
|
Dec. 20, 2012 |
School Board met with search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates during a work session to discuss the superintendent search process. |
|
Dec. 20, 2012 |
Search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates presented Leadership Profile Report draft to School Board. To review the draft leadership profile report and the comments from the online survey and community forums, click on the agenda link. |
|
Nov. 19, 2012 |
School Board continued discussions on the search process. |
|
Nov. 12, 2012 |
School Board met with representatives from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to discuss the timeline for the superintendent search process and to plan community engagement activities. |
|
Nov. 8, 2012 |
The School Board awarded the contract to conduct a search for Division Superintendent candidates to Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, in the amount of $35,000, plus reimbursement of approved expenses. |
|
Oct. 25, 2012 |
The Selection Advisory Committee recommended that the Board award the contract to conduct a search for Division Superintendent candidates to Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, in the amount of $35,000, plus reimbursement of approved expenses (new business agenda item). |
|
Sept. 5 - Oct. 22, 2012 |
Committee procurement activities: consideration of those firms that submitted proposals in response to the RFP. (Please note: Closed meeting, not open to the public.) |
|
Aug. 8, 2012 |
First meeting of the Division Superintendent Search Firm Request for Proposal (RFP) Selection Advisory Committee (SAC). The committee met in a public meeting to discuss the procurement process, including the weight to be assigned to the evaluation factors stated in the RFP. Executive search firms submitted proposals to FCPS on August 7. |
|
Aug. 7, 2012 |
Request for Proposal closed |
|
Jul. 26, 2012 |
School Board appointed members of the Division Superintendent Search Firm RFP Selection Advisory Committee (SAC): Sandy Evans, Pat Hynes, Megan McLaughlin, Ilryong Moon, Elizabeth Schultz, Kathy Smith, Dan Storck, Jane Strauss, and Ted Velkoff, and designated Pat Hynes to serve as chairman of the SAC |
Division Superintendent Search Firm RFP Selection Advisory Committee (SAC) |
Jul. 3, 2012 |
Request for Proposal issued |
|
Jun. 11, 2012 |
School Board work session discussion regarding soliciting the services of a search firm; staff was directed to follow a formal solicitation process for Request for Proposal (RFP) |
|
Mar. 12, 2012 |
Montgomery County, MD, Board of Education members joined the Fairfax County School Board members at a work session to discuss Montgomery County’s recent superintendent search, including timelines and community engagement process |
Superintendent Search - Discussion with members of the Montgomery County Board of Education |
Sept. 22, 2011 |
Dr. Dale announces his retirement effective June 30, 2013 |