Denver residents set high standards for the next DPS superintendent, the school board learned Wednesday.
They want someone who is fair, accessible, approachable and with “unquestionable integrity,’ according to a consulting firm hired by the district. He or she should be charismatic, collaborative, politically savvy and knowledgeable on education.
Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates of Glenview, Ill., surveyed about 300 people in individual interviews, focus groups or online questionnaires to come up with a picture of the person the community wants to head its schools.
The consultants concede that it’s unrealistic to expect to find someone who would meet all the expectations, but there might be a candidate who possesses many of the desired characteristics.
“This has been one of the most positive reports we’ve been able to present,’ said Bill Attea of the consulting firm, which has helped 400 school districts find superintendents since 1987.
“There are a lot of things going on in Denver that are not going on in other school districts,’ Attea said.
The DPS board is to discuss the consultants’ study today and form its own list of desired characteristics.
Other findings of the study:
Communication skills and the ability to network effectively with business and community leaders, foundations and legislators are wanted.
Also desired is an understanding of diversity, a willingness to be “highly visible,’ financial astuteness and an ability to communicate the district’s fiscal circumstances to the community and the legislature.
Staff writer Jim Kirksey can be reached at 303-820-1448 or jkirksey@denverpost.com.
