NEWS

Spackenkill to re-open superintendent search

Nina Schutzman
Poughkeepsie Journal

The Spackenkill Union Free School District will re-open its superintendent search, the district announced.

The deadline to submit an application for the position ended in February and the board "went through the interview process," said board President Thomas Keith, Jr. "We have now re-opened the search...(the board is) looking for the most qualified candidate" to serve the district, students and the community.

Keith would not comment on what factors led to the decision against hiring from the existing pool of candidates.

The board has not voted on what agency will conduct the new search — the Dutchess County Board of Cooperative Educational Services, or BOCES, which conducted the first search, or another firm.

On Wednesday, the district sent out a statement: "The Board has been and will continue to search for the highest qualified candidate to serve the Spackenkill students and community. A new search will be initiated."

Superintendent Lois Powell is set to retire in January 2017, after 13 years in the district, Keith said.

In November, the board began "putting together ideas" on what character traits the next superintendent should have, Keith said.

A BOCES brochure announcing the search listed a timeline for hiring the district's next school chief, along with other details.

The job opening was posted in January and the application deadline was Feb. 29, according to the brochure. In March, applicants were set to be screened and interviewed. The job was set to start this September, with a three-year contract and "a salary of up to $195,000 based on experience, education and background," along with a benefits package.

Nina Schutzman: nschutzman@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-451-4518 Twitter: @pojonschutzman