The Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District Board of Education has appointed OCM BOCES District Superintendent, Matthew L. Cook, Ed.D., to assist and advise the board during the upcoming Superintendent search. The decision was approved during the board’s meeting on Monday, Dec. 9.
The board also considered private and national search firms. Dr. Cook has helped a number of area school districts navigate this process and hire new leaders. Because Jamesville-DeWitt is already a component district of OCM BOCES some of Dr. Cook’s services will be included in the district’s membership.
The board also decided to move forward with a confidential search after Dr. Cook outlined how it differs from an open search. Dr. Cook explained that an open search often results in a smaller pool of applicants as some experienced sitting Superintendents and other administrators may be reluctant to apply. A confidential search often results in a more robust pool of candidates, and includes community input earlier in the search process.
The job listing is expected to be posted this month. OCM BOCES will gather stakeholder input in January, and begin first round interviews in February. The board is anticipated to make an appointment in April or May. The new hire would officially begin leadership duties for the 2025-26 school year in July. Superintendent Peter Smith is scheduled to retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year.