Great River School Community - Hello from your School Board!
We would like to provide an update to our Head of School Transition Process. If you have been part of the GRS Community since last year, you will recall we conducted a search for an Interim Head of School last year, hiring our current HoS, David Núñez, effective July 2021.
Filling the interim position was the first step in a two-part process for filling our permanent Head of School after Sam O’Brien’s departure in the Spring of 2020. Part two was to launch a permanent HoS search in fall 2021, to be hired for the 2022/23 school year.
In the short time since David joined us, our school has gone through many changes. This year will continue to present as many challenges for educators, administrators, familities, and students as last year. The Executive Committee, which provides oversight for the Head of School, acknowledges that this is hardly a typical school year, and the priorities for our Head of School will continue to evolve. We recognize and value the importance of stability and continuity in our school leadership. In all fairness, we believe it’s in everyone’s best interest to give ourselves and David more time to work together.
Therefore, the Board is acknowledging that the previous model to which we committed no longer feels like an appropriate one for GRS. The Board has approved the Executive Committee’s recommendation that David Nunez be retained for two consecutive school years: 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The Board retains the option to extend an offer for the permanent Head of School position to David, based on its evaluation of established performance criteria, by early 2022. Should both parties agree that the position is a great fit, no external search will be needed. If not, the Board will assemble a search committee and begin that process.
Despite the challenges of 2020-21, we managed to find David and he found us. GRS has greatly benefited from his calm presence and steady leadership since July, and we look forward to knowing him better in the coming months and years.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. This is a major change from the search process that was communicated last year. What gives?
A. If there’s one thing we’ve all learned throughout the pandemic, it’s that our constantly-changing environment requires agile and responsive decision-making. We’ve reassessed the earlier plan to start a permanent Head of School search this fall. With what we know today, we believe this would be an impractical and counterproductive effort, and what is really needed is a reasonable amount of time for us to work with David and vice versa. He has agreed to this arrangement and we greatly appreciate his flexibility and understanding as we’ve revised the search strategy.
Q. Why was an interim Head of School posted in the first place?
A. Primarily because it was a more realistic approach to managing the unprecedented challenges of recruiting a school leader during a pandemic. With massive upheaval occurring across the education sector last year, the job market was anything but predictable. Frankly, we weren’t sure the right person would find us. We were transparent with candidates about the two-part process, and that the Interim HoS would be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
Q. Was the search for Interim Head of School a “real” thorough process or was it shortened or rushed?
A. Despite the challenges of Covid, the 4.5 months’ long interim search process involved thorough vetting, multiple rounds of interviews, and opportunities for a wide range of stakeholders to participate. We met a pool of qualified candidates and we are confident in our selection criteria and process.
Q. How does David feel about this announcement?
A. We can’t speak for him! But from our perspective, the Board recognizes the inherent awkwardness in this subject and we value the transparent conversations we’ve had with David to date. His ability to discuss hard things with openness and curiosity - and ‘roll with it’ during messy times of change - is really a tremendous asset for his role.
Your input and engagement as a member of our GRS Community is so valuable. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your GRS Board when you need to, and please consider engaging with our GRS Board committees!
Warmly,
The GRS Board