1. Elementary Principal Selection Process
East Silver Spring Elementary School
March 22, Staff and Community
Mr. Eric A. Wilson
Director of School Support and Improvement
DCC4 * Gaithersburg * Richard Montgomery Clusters

2. Our Shared Interests
To make sure that the selection of a new principal involves input from all stakeholders (families, staff, and in the case of high schools - students).
To select the best principal for the job that matches the values and needs of the school community.
To hire a principal who will work collaboratively to create a positive school environment for students, staff, and families.
To appoint a principal who will lead with equity and establish the conditions that result in achievement for all students.
To support and ensure success for the principal.

3. Process Overview Confirm vacancy & advertise position
Collect characteristics from staff & community
Review applicants & select interview candidates that match characteristics
Identify interview questions connected to characteristics
Select interview panel (staff, community, MCPS staff)
Conduct interviews with potential candidates
Identify finalist candidate following the interview panel
Hold a finalist meeting with Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and Associate Superintendent
The Board of Education appoints the principal at a meeting

4. Potential Candidate Fields
Current MCPS principals
Principal Interns
Current principals from outside of MCPS

5. Interview Panel
Goal: To ensure a range of perspectives are represented by staff, families, and school system leaders.
Panel Characteristics:
Approximately 5 parents, 5 staff members, and 4 central office staff.
Panel members often include:
Teachers/Teacher Leaders
Support Staff Leaders
PTA President or PTA President Elect
Elected Faculty and Support Representatives (EFR/ESR)
The interview panel should match the demographics of the school community.

6. Interview Structure Monday, April 10, 2018 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Candidates
Typically 3 to 4 candidates are selected.
Interviews
Held at Carver Educational Service Center (CESC) Room 100
Approximately 30 minutes per candidate; 5 minutes between each.
Debrief following all candidates.
Only the preapproved questions may be asked of the candidate.
Interviews are held in strictest confidence.
Panel provides input to the Director through the debriefing process.
The interview is an integral part of the hiring process.

7. Characteristics Collection March 20, 2018
List of 11 principal leadership skills are described and participants identify the top 4 priorities for their principal.
Surveys are collected and a report is generated that identifies the top characteristics of the staff and the community.
NO MORE PAPER SURVEYS—ALL ELECTRONIC

8. Principal Characteristics
Electronic
Survey Option
Staff English –
Staff Spanish –
Community English –
Community Spanish –

9. Principal Appointment Tuesday, April 24, 2018 6P.M.
Following the interviews, 2 candidates are invited to a finalist meeting with:
Dr. Jack R. Smith, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Kimberly S. Statham, Deputy Superintendent
Dr. LaVerne G. Kimball, Associate Superintendent of Elementary Schools
Dr. Jack R. Smith, superintendent, makes a recommendation to the Board of Education (BOE).
The BOE votes on the appointment at the identified meeting—No announcement is made prior to the BOE meeting date.
New principal officially begins July 1, 2018.

10. Principal Support & Supervision
All principals are supported, supervised, and evaluated by Directors from the Office of School Support and Improvement.
The Professional Growth System for Administrators and Supervisors identifies six (6) standards for principal performance.
Support from a consulting principal. *For 1st year principals
Evaluation Data includes:
Student Learning Objectives/School Improvement Plan
Supervisory school visits
Formal observations
Perceptual data from staff and community

11. Questions?