Replacing Roelle: K-L District Looks Ahead

School district stakeholders are already thinking about qualifications needed for the next head of the Katonah Lewisboro School District, following last week's superintendent of schools.

Read a copy of his resignation letter posted with this story.

"Dr. Roelle did a great job of righting a sinking ship," said K-L parent council President Lorey Leddy. "The new superintendent will have to have his vision for curriculum plus the business acumen ro run a district—and diplomacy, which is key to restoring civility and trust in the district."

The competition is stiff for candidates with all the right stuff. At least five other school districts in Westchester County are seeking a new superintendent, including Chappaqua, Pocantico Hills, Ardsley, Briarcliff Manor and possibly Hastings-on-Hudson, which is working with an interim superintendent and considering opening a search.

School board President Michael Gordon doesn't feel that other vacancies—nor the fact that it took two tries to pass a budget here—is a challenge, however.

"This is a high-achieving district and one that is adopting an exciting long-range plan—I think it's an attractive district," he said.

The district has again retained the services of School Leadership, LLC, under the leadership of Charles Fowler; the firm was used in the search that resulted in appointing Roelle to replace Bob Lichtenfeld.

Katonah Lewisboro will be well served by School Leadership, said Chappaqua school board member Jeffrey Mester, who hired them for their search. While they are no longer working with the firm due to scheduling conflicts, Mester said they had "complete confidence in their work and would retain them again."

The search will be nationwide, said Fowler. Their process generates candidate pools in which two-thirds are from New York state and a third from around the country. Historically, districts they have worked with in Westchester have selected candidates from within the state about 60 percent of the time, he added.

Out-of-state candidates would need to fulfill the New York State certification requirements, including two online courses and a written exam, Fowler said.

Before advertising the position, they spend 6-8 weeks on "specification development." Through focus groups, personal meetings and questionnaires, the firm defines district values, challenges, and personal and professional qualities sought for the job.

"We will involve a variety of board-defined stakeholders in the process, usually teachers, parents, community members," said Fowler. They could receive up to 1,000 resumes for the position; after screening interviews they recommend 6-8 candidates for interviews with the board of education.

Though Fowler said that the typical superintedent candidate is motivated more by a position offering a situation where they "can make a difference and be successful," than salary and benefits, Westchester offers top salaries to its school leaders.

According to data released by the state education department, school administrators in Westchester County earn an average salary of $160,800—the statewide average is about $147,670, among the districts who submitted data.

Out of the 20 highest-paid school administrators in Westchester, Roelle is ranked  seventh, with an annual salary of $274,275. Edgemont is the highest, at $299,963, and Port Chester-Rye is number 20, at $245,670.

Roelle will step down from his position in Februrary.