Update on Executive Director Hiring Process and Spring Break Recharging

Dr Eucker Message Image

Spring Break is a much-needed break for students and staff to recharge and refocus on the endurance needed for the final quarter of the school year. With Daylight Saving Time and warmer weather, it will feel like the long winter is behind us.

As we return from break, our Executive Director Hiring process will be in full swing with our first round of interviews beginning on Monday, March 21. (See the timeline below)

We are very excited that our posting has received over 50 applicants. The team will be phone screening close to 20 applicants, of which approximately 8-10 will move on to the first round of interviews.

Our Hiring Team of Christina Wu, Maura Ridder and Karen Johnson has established a thoughtful process and timeline to ensure equity, preparedness and transparency. The team began by collecting feedback and requests for involvement from all of our stakeholder groups. From there, the team developed a stakeholder training session to ensure they understand the expectations of the roles and responsibilities of the new Executive Director, as well as what to look for in a candidate.

The stakeholder interviews will allow the pre-screened candidates to meet with our students, parents, teachers and support staff in a round-robin, in-person format. The stakeholder groups will provide feedback to the Hiring Team and between four-six candidates will be chosen to move on to the next round.

The next round will consist of interviews with members of our Leadership Team and will take place on Thursday, March 24, and our Administration Team that will take place on Monday, March 28. Feedback from both the Leadership Team and the Administration Team will lead to the top three candidates being selected to attend our Staff/Community Meet ‘n Greet session that is set for Friday, April 1 from 3:30-5 p.m. in the High School Commons.

This will also be the opportunity for our STEM Board to meet with the candidates in a casual setting to see how they interact with our community, get to know them on a more personal level, and also have some one-on-one time. Following this event, the Hiring Team will provide me with their feedback on the top three candidates, as well as their recommendation as to which candidate they believe should be the next Executive Director. This feedback will also be submitted to the Board. The Board and I will carefully weigh the strengths and areas in need of support of each finalist as well as the candidate’s alignment to STEM’s Mission and Vision. The recommendation of the Hiring Team will be given significant weight. An offer will be made to the successful candidate to take the helm of the Flagship school.

Once the candidate has accepted, an official announcement will be made to our staff and community. I believe that this process will lead us to find the best candidate for the next Executive Director at STEM School Highlands Ranch.

I want to thank the Hiring Team in advance for their commitment to this process and to our entire community. The entire process leading to the hiring of our next leader is inclusive, transparent and captures stakeholder’s voice. We are heading into very exciting times at STEM School Highlands Ranch and for KOSON Network of Schools. Our Strategic Plan BHAG of bringing the KOSON instructional method of Problem-Based Learning for all is becoming a reality. Our STEM School Highlands Ranch Community is strong, resilient and compassionate and we are ready to welcome more Spartans into the fold.

I hope you all enjoy a restful and relaxing Spring Break,

PJ Eucker, PhD.
Executive Director

ED Interview Process Timeline
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