At the Carmel Clay School Board meeting on March 11, the board reported on the search to find a new superintendent to replace current Superintendent Jeff Swensson, who officially retires on June 30, 2013.

According to a March 11 Board Update, more than 500 people attended focus groups, forums or completed surveys earlier in the month to discuss the search process. Currently, the school board is working with consultants to finalize a specific superintendent leadership profile.

“We are now moving into Phase 2 of the superintendent search,” the board said. “Applications are being accepted by BWP & Associates through March 14. Then, with use of the leadership profile and guidance from our consultants, the school board will select a slate of candidates for initial interviews. Throughout Phase 2 all candidates are extended the courtesy of strict confidentiality.”

According to the board, this phase of selection and review will last from March 17 to March 24, with another update expected at the March 25 school board meeting.

According to Swensson, he intends to have no role in the selection process, though he feels it is critical that the board have a “very complete” and “absolutely strong” relationship with the next superintendent.

“I would anticipate the board may ask (me) to give (the new superintendent) a ‘lay of the land,’” he said. But Swensson said he feels that as the outgoing superintendent, it is his main obligation to carry on his job until he makes the transition.

According to junior Nate Slack, the search committee needs to be sure that the next superintendent is comfortable in this kind of district.

“He should have previous experience at a prestigious school,” he said, “and should have worked at a large school before.”

Additionally, Slack said he thinks that hiring someone from inside the district, as was the case with Swensson, may be beneficial as that person would already be familiar with the school district.

Meanwhile, Swensson has continued following Senate Bill 189, which relates to Performance Qualified School Designation. According to Swensson, after passing the Senate with a vote of 44-5, the bill is currently in the House Committee on Education.

According to Swensson, Senate Bill 189 would continue his goal of excellence by providing “regulatory relief” to the district by placing it on a level more comparable to charter schools.

“(The district has had) 125 years of excellence,” he said, “(and) I believe it is our responsibility to build upon (these) 125 years of excellence.