August 12, 2013
Dear Catlin Gabel community members,
On behalf of the head of school search committee, I’m writing to provide an update. I am frankly delighted to do so. After a summer of behind-the-scenes activity, the search process is now entering its next stage, and the committee, always enthusiastic and hopeful, is now if anything even more excited and optimistic than before.
We have reviewed a large number of uncommonly well-qualified and extremely attractive candidates. Indeed, our search consultants have indicated in all apparent candor that they have rarely seen a candidate pool of such high quality. Our candidates come from virtually every area of the country and reflect a wonderfully wide range of experiences and credentials. I would note and emphasize that the materials we have seen present, among other things, overwhelming evidence that Catlin Gabel has an enviable reputation nationwide as being an institution of unusual quality and distinction. It is clear that to be head of school at Catlin Gabel is widely considered a rare opportunity – a plum job – and one result has been the very large number of obviously outstanding candidates.
From this excellent applicant pool, we have now identified a short list of leading candidates, all of whom bring truly exceptional credentials to the search process. In the next few weeks, the entire search committee will meet each of these semifinalists in person. Having now worked at length with my fellow committee members, I can assure you that the interviews will be thorough, probing, stimulating, and enormously productive. I expect they’ll also be lots of fun.
On the basis of these interviews, we plan to identify our finalists – perhaps three in number, though that might change. Once we identify finalists, the search will become public. We will bring all finalists to campus in mid- to late-September for two-day interviews, during which time they will meet with the full range of constituencies – teachers, staff, parents, trustees, students, alumni, and friends. Of course, the committee will actively seek out evaluations from everyone who has been able to meet with or observe the candidates. We will also be deeply engaged in the reference-checking process, as well as in our own ongoing discussions about the candidates. With all of this information in hand, the committee will be in an excellent position to make a compelling recommendation to the board, which will make the appointment. We hope to announce the new head of school by mid-October.
Our process will benefit greatly from community input. The search committee is thus hopeful that many of you will participate, as appropriate, in the finalist interviews and that, having done so, you will let us know what you think. Again, these interviews will occur in mid- to late-September. Be assured that we will provide ample notice so as to maximize and facilitate participation, and will also provide easy and effective avenues for you to share with us your thoughts and recommendations.
As is I hope clear, the search committee looks forward to the final stages of the process with great anticipation. We are eager to meet these terrific candidates in person. And we are confident, as well, that the outcome will very much be a continuation of the tradition of outstanding leadership that has made Catlin Gabel the great school that it is.
Sincerely,
Peter Steinberger, trustee, parent of alumna, search committee chair
Search committee members
Dave Cannard, Jr. ’76, trustee (1997-07), board chair (2004-07), current parent, parent of alumnus, alumnus
Li-Ling Cheng, Middle School Mandarin teacher, parent of alumna
Clint Darling, interim head of school (1982-83), Upper School head (1973-86), retired Upper School English and French teacher, parent of alumnae
Isaac Enloe, kindergarten teacher
Aline Garcia-Rubio ’93, Upper School assistant head, dean of students, science teacher, current parent, alumna
John Gilleland, trustee, board chair (2009-12), current parent
Alix Meier Goodman ’71, trustee, endowment committee member, board chair (2007-10), parent of alumni, alumna
Vicki Roscoe, assistant head of school and Lower School head
Eric Rosenfeld ’83, vice-chair and treasurer board of trustees, current parent, alumnus
Miranda Wellman ’91, director of advancement, alumna
Jim Wysocki, Upper School math teacher and department chair