Mayor Walsh and superintendent search committee launch online survey

The survey asks respondents to share the characteristics they feel the next superintendent should demonstrate.  

“We, as a community, are taking an active role in the future of the youth of Boston,” said Mayor Walsh. “This online survey helps to make this process a transparent one, in which the voices of the people will be heard and valued.” 

“We have been thrilled to see so many passionate individuals at our public hearings,” Gallery said. “This survey provides another channel for collecting input from those who haven’t been able to come out or those who may have more to share.” 

Community members will be able to submit their opinions through Sunday, April 6.  

"This survey will help ensure we hear from as many members of the community as possible,” Coleman said. “The feedback we have collected at our public hearings and through this survey will directly shape the superintendent’s profile and the job description we use to recruit candidates.” 

Using feedback from the survey, public hearings, and interviews with numerous stakeholders, search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates will present a Leadership Profile Report to the Superintendent Search Committee in a public meeting on April 16. After receiving the report, the Superintendent Search Committee will finalize the criteria desired in the next superintendent.

"We've sought the public's input throughout the process and this online survey will allow residents to continue to provide comments that are a valuable part of the search for the next Boston Public Schools Superintendent,'' said Michael O'Neill, School Committee Chair. 

To date, the Superintendent Search Committee has held seven public hearings throughout the city to learn what traits community members are looking for in the next superintendent. On February 6, Mayor Walsh and the Boston School Committee announced the formation of a Superintendent Search Committee to spearhead this effort, which was approved by the School Committee on  February 26. The Committee is a group of respected individuals who represent the diversity of the City of Boston. Each possesses a deep knowledge of BPS, and the group represents a wide array of perspectives which include teachers, current and former school administrators, higher education leaders, parents, business and philanthropy. The Superintendent Search Committee is tasked with:

• Recommending to the School Committee a national search firm to assist in the selection process;
• Hosting community meetings to solicit public input on the job description for the new superintendent;
• Vetting and narrowing the pool of possible candidates presented by the search firm; and
• Recommending three finalists for the new superintendent.