In addition to new procedures and safety precautions to Carroll ISD, 2020 will bring yet another change to the school district — a new superintendent. After Dr. David Faltys announced his upcoming retirement on August 14, the school district has been working to find his replacement by 2021. With applications, focus groups and interviews on the horizon, here’s what you can expect on the road to determining Carroll’s next leader.
What’s Happened So Far?
After the school board of trustees accepted Dr. Faltys’ retirement on August 17, trustees selected a school law firm to help with the superintendent search process. They chose Thompson and Horton, a Houston-based firm that has also assisted Belton, Lake Travis and Texarkana ISD with superintendent searches.
“Thompson and Horton brings in more candidates and brings some candidates that no other firms can even bring to the table,” Place 7 Trustee David Almand said at the August 27 board meeting. “They’re very honest and straightforward.”
After Thompson and Horton came on board, the district posted the job application on the Texas Association of School Administrators’ website and TexasISD.com. Thompson and Horton also contacted over 100 school leaders across the nation to receive candidates and recommendations for the next superintendent.
What’s Next?
After Carroll ISD launched the superintendent search page on its website, trustees appointed 10 individuals each to serve on focus groups that will provide recommendations. Former Texas Commissioner of Education and Thompson and Horton partner Dr. Mike Moses says these community members include parents, non-parent taxpayers, business owners, faith-based representatives, teachers, administrators or principals, staff members, students and elected officials that will meet on October 7 to discuss the position.
“Teachers get to hear from business people; business people get to hear from kids; kids get to hear from parents,” Dr. Moses said to the board. “The rich conversation comes from those groups being very diverse.”
After the district receives community input, the job application will close on October 13, and trustees will identify candidates to interview. The first round of interviews is scheduled to take place from October 26 to 28.
When Will The New Superintendent Be Selected?
After the second round of interviews takes place on November 9 and 10, background checks and district visits will be conducted with the final candidates from November 11 to 15. After finalists have been identified, the district will enter into final agreements and will begin the 21-day period to finalize contract details. Once the employment contract is approved by December 7, the new superintendent will assume the position by January 4 for the start of the spring 2021 semester.
“We take this very seriously,” Dr. Moses said to the board on September 3. “We want the best. The community deserves it. Carroll kids deserve it.”