New Kensington-Arnold releases community survey as part of superintendent search
Members of the New Kensington-Arnold School District community are being asked to complete a survey about what traits they want in the district’s new superintendent.
A link to the survey is available on the district’s website, nkasd.com. Administrators, community members, parents, staff and students are asked to complete it by Feb. 15.
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is conducting the survey. The New Kensington-Arnold School Board in December approved paying the association up to $13,000 to help it find a successor for former Superintendent John Pallone.
“The district and PSBA believe it is vital that the school community have the opportunity to provide input into the search for a permanent superintendent,” school board President Tim Beckes said. “The survey results will identify the attributes these stakeholders feel are most important in a candidate and also help prioritize the areas where they would like to see the new superintendent focus their efforts.”
The survey asks respondents to rank how important 17 qualifications or experiences are to them. They include adaptability, administration management, community relations and involvement, curriculum and instruction, parental engagement, public relations, negotiations, finance, special education and technology.
The survey also asks respondents to rate the importance of 14 challenges, issues and needs the district should address. Among them are class size, communication, curriculum, finances, safety, student achievement, and staff and student morale.
According to the job listing, New Kensington-Arnold intends to hire a new superintendent by July 1. Applications are due by Feb. 16 to assure they are reviewed by the school board.
The listing says the salary is negotiable and “will be competitive, based on training and experience, qualifications and meeting board criteria.”
Pallone resigned at the end of July. Jon Banko, the district’s former assistant superintendent, has been serving as acting superintendent.
Banko said Tuesday he will apply for the position. —
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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