Bellevue School Board to ask Enfield about accelerated interview process
Published 4:46 pm Friday, February 17, 2012
The Bellevue School Board voted Friday, Feb. 17 to contact Susan Enfield to see if she is interesting in participating in an accelerated interview process to determine if she would be a good fit as district superintendent.
Enfield was the board’s No. 2 choice three years ago when it picked Amalia Cudeiro, who resigned at the end of January, citing family issues.
Enfield, now the interim superintendent in the Seattle School District, is one of three finalists for superintendent in the Highline School District, which expects to name its choice on March 1.
By a 3-1-1 vote, the board passed a motion to conduct an accelerated interview with Enfield, with the following provisions:
· The process include an updated evaluation criteria based on the last two weeks’ community input;
· A defined interview process to include the school board, Bellevue Education Association (BEA), district administration and the public; and
· If after that process the board feels it has a strong feeling from the process, the board may extend an offer to a candidate.
The board authorized Board President Paul Mills to contact Enfield to discuss the process and determine as quickly as possible if she is interested in participating in it.
The board also agreed to define the process above by Feb. 27.
The Bellevue School Board on Thursday finished four days of meetings with the public to gather comments on the desired characteristics in the next superintendent. Characteristics to be considered included an understanding of Bellevue and its strengths and challenges, working smoothly with teachers, understanding of issues faced by students and parents in minority communities and those living in poverty, appreciation of art education and more.
At the Friday meeting, all board members expressed a desire to have the best candidate for the district. They also acknowledged the need to hire a candidate quickly to maintain momentum in the district while minimizing the impacts of a lengthy search.
After Cudeiro’s resignation, Assistant Superintendent Eva Collins agreed to serve as interim superintendent through June, and longer if needed. However, she also indicated a preference to return to her post as assistant superintendent.
