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Public Input Makes Fayette's Superintendent Search Unique

By Brenna Angel

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Dozens of schools districts across the country are searching for new superintendents, including Jefferson County Public Schools and Fayette County Public Schools in Kentucky.

But the two districts, which are both using the search firm McPherson & Jacobson, are unlikely to attract many of the same candidates. Co-founder Thomas Jacobson says that's because each community has a unique set of circumstances and expectations.

"We have a high retention rate. Ninety-five percent of our placements in the last five years are still on the job. Over the two-thirds for the past ten years are still on the job, and since we were founded over 20 years ago, over 50 percent of our placements are still on the job. We attribute that to finding out what a district's needs are and finding an individual that has those skills."

Jacobson's work as a match-maker between school district and candidate relies heavily on input received from the public. In Lexington, the search firm will continue a series of forums through Thursday.

"We're asking all of the groups four basic questions: tell us the good things about Lexington as a community, tells us the good things about Lexington's schools district, what skills, qualities, characteristics they would like to see in the new superintendent, and what are the issues here that the new person should be made aware of?"

Fayette County Public Schools is searching for a successor to Stu Silberman, who is retiring.

A public forum at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Opinions can also be shared online through a survey at the school district's website.

Jacobson says he will put together an executive summary of the findings for the Fayette County Board of Education.