The Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District Board of Education has appointed OCM BOCES District Superintendent, Matthew L. Cook, Ed.D., to serve as a consultant during the district’s Superintendent search. The decision was approved during the board’s meeting on Monday, Dec. 9.
Jamesville-DeWitt is an OCM BOCES component district so some of the consultant services will be included in the district’s membership. Dr. Cook has helped a number of area school districts navigate this process and hire new leaders.
Superintendent Peter Smith announced his retirement plans in Oct. 2024. He will serve the district through the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.
OCM BOCES Job Listing
OCM BOCES created a webpage for the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District Superintendent search that includes the application and an informational brochure.
Superintendent Search Survey
In January, the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District Board of Education asked students, staff, families, and the community to complete an online survey that helped develop a profile of desirable attributes wanted in the district’s next leader. The survey was available until Wednesday, Feb. 5. The board is using a summary of the responses to help evaluate candidates.
Superintendent Search Q&A
Q. Is the Board of Education conducting the superintendent search on its own?
A. The Jamesville-DeWitt Board of Education is working with OCM BOCES search consultants to conduct the search for the next superintendent of schools.
Q. What is a confidential superintendent search?
A. A confidential superintendent search means that all applicants for the position of superintendent of schools will apply directly to BOCES. BOCES and the Board of Education will work together to identify, from the entire applicant pool, who meets the criteria and those candidates who will be interviewed. The board will see ALL applications, but they will first be submitted to BOCES.
Q. Why is a confidential search necessary?
A. This process has greater success in attracting sitting superintendents and other education professionals who prefer their candidacy for the Jamesville-DeWitt position not be made public. Without confidentiality, there is a very limited candidate pool. Conducting a confidential search increases the likelihood that the most qualified candidates will apply for the position.
Q. Were there opportunities for public input?
A. Yes!
The district conducted an online survey to collect input from the community and hosted a focus group of 12-14 parents/caregivers. Participants were asked to identify and discuss characteristics and traits wanted in Jamesville-DeWitt’s next Superintendent. The board is using this feedback while evaluating candidates.
Q. What’s next?
A. Selected applicants will complete at least two rounds of interviews with the board. The board of education will appoint the best candidate during a public board meeting. The district will also notify the school community about the decision.
News & Updates
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- April 10: Board selects Dr. Darcy Woodcock, as new Jamesville-DeWitt Superintendent of Schools
- April 9: Board provides Superintendent Search update at April 7 meeting
- March 21: Parents/caregivers needed for J-D Superintendent search focus group
- Feb. 28: Board begins interviews in Superintendent search
- Feb. 5: Final survey reminder sent to stakeholders via ParentSquare
- Jan. 31: REMINDER: J-D Superintendent Search Survey and UPK Letter of Intent deadlines
- Jan. 24: J-D Superintendent Search: survey to gather stakeholder input available until Feb. 5
- Dec. 12: Board selects OCM BOCES consultant to help conduct confidential Superintendent search
- Oct. 30: J-D Superintendent Dr. Peter Smith to retire after 2024-25 school year