The following represents the Head Search Committee's current plan. Note that the plan is subject to change depending on the circumstances that develop during the search. We will keep the community updated throughout the process.
May 2011 - Board of Trustees Forms Head of School Search Committee (HSC), selects Search Consultant - COMPLETED
Head of School Search Committee is co-chaired by Board Chair, Wendi Moore and Peggy Burgess-Wilkinson. Click here for the Head Search Committee members and bios.
Several search consultants are vetted; Roger Bass is engaged.
May 16-17 - Search Consultant Roger Bass Visits Blue Oak School Campuses - COMPLETED
Roger Bass met with faculty, administration, staff, students, parents, founders as well as the Head Search Committee and members of the Board of Trustees.
June - Position Statement Published - COMPLETED
Based on his visit to BOS, and the community's input, Roger drafts a "Position Statement" to present to the Board of Trustees. The statement is a document intended to attract candidates, to familiarize them with the school, and to detail the specific opportunities and challenges that they might expect to encounter. It also lists the ideal qualifications and qualities that the school hopes to find in a candidate.
June - August - Active Recruiting - COMPLETED
After reviewing numerous inquiries and conducting preliminary screening interviews, Roger presented 19 highly qualified candidates to the committee for the Head position.
We expected a pool of 15-20 potential candidates appropriate for this position. Roger Bass posted the opening on select websites and appropriate print journals.
Early Fall - Committee to refine candidate pool - COMPLETED
The Head Search Committee met with Roger on 8/31 to rank candidates and selected 8 semifinalists to interview in person in mid-September.
Early Fall - First Round Interviews - COMPLETED 9.18
Committee interviewed 7 semifinalists in depth over the 17th and 18th of September.
Fall - Committee chose top candidates as finalists
Fall - Finalist visits to campus - Finalist candidates are scheduled between October 4th and October 21st. - COMPLETED
Each finalist and family to visit BOS campus for two days of tours, meetings, and social gatherings. Please refer to the all school event calendar for details by clicking here.
Each constituency will have the opportunity to meet with finalist candidates and to give their feedback and impressions to the HSC.
Late October - November - HSC ranks finalists and present recommendation to Board, then makes offer - COMPLETED
November 7, 2011 - Board Chair Wendi Moore announces new Head of School, Jen de Forest
November 2011 - June 2012 - Transition
The Board of Trustees will appoint a Transition Committee to be in charge of working with Jen de Forest, David Drinkwater and the board on transition. The new Head will familiarize herself with the school and its strategic plan, but will not be involved with the operation of BOS until her contract begins on July 1, 2012. David Drinkwater will continue as Interim Head until June 30, 2012. The Transition Committee will help to organize activities to welcome Jen de Forest and her husband Stephen Sossaman to the school.