The UCFSD School Board Directors are nearing
the final candidate interview phase for replacing Sharon Parker, who announced
her retirement plans in May. Parker has signaled she will remain in her
position until the new superintendent is available.
Dr. Joseph O’Brien, Executive Director
Chester County Intermediate Unit hosted a community focus group on July 6. This
was Obrien’s seventh focus group with various U-CF district stakeholders held
in the last month. The groups included separate meetings with administrative
office employees, district principals, teaching professionals, students, PTO
and district support staff.
The focus group goals are to identify common
themes for the strengths and skills the new superintendent should possess to
resolve the challenges the district must face over the next five years. These
challenges potentially include resolving the ongoing teacher contract,
projected financial challenges which include the costs associated with the
controversial funding of Unionville High School renovation and balancing the requests
of student families for educational excellence with the realities of financial
discipline district taxpayer’s demand. For example, the CCIU recognizes the
rift in the U-CF community triggered by the massive high school construction
project undertaken despite two failed referendums.
O’Brien has led several recent local searches
for Chester County school superintendent positions including Downingtown,
Phoenixville, West Chester and the Media Rose Tree school district in Delaware
County. He commented the U-CF district superintendent search challenges are the
tight time frame of the new school year and the possibility the person selected
for the job may have a contractual “hold clause” of 60–90 days in their current
position which would require retiring superintendent Parker to delay her
retirement plans. Parker has
indicated she will continue in her position to avoid the disruption of naming
an “interim” superintendent.
After the conclusion of the lightly attended
meeting held in the high school cafeteria, O’Brian summarized his “take aways”
from the community member’s comments.
“The UCF School Board should be commended for their decision
to hold stakeholder focus groups,” he said. “The Board had a built in excuse to
make an expedient internal promotion given the tight timeline. Instead they have committed to more
focus groups than the other local school district superintendent searches. The board recognizes this is a crucial
position. This will be the
district’s 4th superintendent in the last 10 years.”
O’Brien said he’s received approximately 20
quality applications from candidates residing the eastern half of Pennsylvania
and two out of state applicants.
The CCIU. will be doing the final screening of these applications this
week and preparing for interviews which they hope to complete in August. The interviews will include extensive
background checks for the position finalists and construction of interview
questions drawn from the various focus groups most frequently voiced concerns.
O’Brien is also interested in hearing the
concerns and suggestions from any school district residents who were unable to
attend the July 6 community focus group. Additional comments are appreciated by emailing
[email protected] or by calling 484-237-5010.
About Jim Phreaner
After 41 years of auditing large NYSE global corporations, former IRS Agent Jim Phreaner was looking for a project in retirement with fewer regulations and more people. He joined the staff at Chadds Ford Live more than a year ago. James Edward “Jim” Phreaner, 64, died suddenly in his Birmingham Township home on Dec.17, 2012. Jim was a devoted husband, son, father, friend, and neighbor.
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