Juni Thurston

Board member seats remain empty an hour into the March 17 board meeting in which the district separated from former interim superintendent Trent Bahadursingh. In the coming months, the district will search for a new superintendent. According to board member Shana Segal, she wants a new superintendent that will listen to the views of all community members. “[We want to] make sure that we’re including a leader that creates a culture where students, staff and families generally feel heard, respected, and valued in authentic and consistent ways,” Segal said.

The Palo Alto Unified School District is collecting input from the community as part of its ongoing search for a new superintendent following two consecutive superintendent “separations.”

According to PAUSD board documents, the board will collect community input through input sessions and a survey that will close at 5 p.m. on May 1.

During Tuesday’s board meeting, board members decided to make having a teaching background a requirement for applicants. Board member Shana Segal, who spearheaded this decision, said that having a teaching background is essential to successfully lead the district.

“Having that lived experience [of being a former teacher] is key,” Segal said. “It brings a level of credibility and clarity to the instructional leadership that cannot be replicated in a way if you haven’t been a teacher. I also think it reflects a deep respect for the teaching profession.”

Board member Alison Kamhi said that she wants the incoming superintendent to have a background working with varied ethnic and cultural groups.

“I would like to call out experience working with racially and culturally diverse populations,” Kamhi said. “I would also want to add in [a recommendation] about being religiously diverse and experienced with the LGBTQ+ community.”

During the board meeting, student board representative Dylan Chen said the district should work harder to get student input.

“I was aware that there was a survey pushed out to parents, teachers and administrators, but I do not believe there was a channel where it would have been publicized to students,” Chen said at the board meeting. “I would advise district staff to push this out to students so students are … aware of the survey and have time to take it.”

Following Chen’s comment, principal Brent Kline sent a message to students on Wednesday detailing options for student input in the selection process.

“The search firm who is leading the current PAUSD superintendent search is seeking input from students, staff and our community,” the message stated. “Additionally, Paly will be hosting an in-person student input session on Thursday, April 30.”

The superintendent application will close on May 11 and the interviews will be conducted on May 30 and May 31. The new superintendent will take office on July 1.

Although many community members applaud the outreach by the district’s search firm in the ongoing search for a superintendent, some are concerned about the process being rushed.

According to PAUSD parent Steven Davis, he believes the district is moving too fast in the superintendent search process.

“Slow down,” Davis said. “I do not believe there is a reason to hurry to choose a superintendent. This is a person we put a lot of responsibility on; please think about slowing down so we get the right person as opposed to getting someone fast.”