Public weighs in on superintendent search

VERONA – The Augusta County School Board was urged Thursday to take their time on finding a successor to retiring Superintendent Gary McQuain, and also to seek a superintendent who would be conservative in personality and stress the basics of instruction.

The comments came during a brief input session held by the board on the qualities the public wants to see in Augusta County’s next superintendent. McQuain is retiring at the end of the school year after 13 years on the job.

Karen Olivares, director of the Virginia Education Association’s Valley Uniserv unit, told the school board not to rush the selection, particularly if applications do not measure up. The school board has said it is seeking to name McQuain’s successor by May.

Olivares said McQuain had put together “an amazing team’’ of administrators capable of running the school division until a proper successor could be found.

“If the exact right candidate does not emerge, let time be your friend,’’ said Olivares.

Olivares also asked the board to consider allowing finalists for the job to appear at a public meeting in Augusta County to see how they fare when dealing with county stakeholders.

Sandy Garst of Fishersville said she wants to see a conservative superintendent in both fiscal policy and teaching.

“I’m a little concerned with the way things have been going in the country,’’ said Garst, who said the next superintendent should have conservative values and get back to the basics of instruction. Garst said those basics should include a strong teaching of the U.S.Constitution.

The Augusta County Education Association submitted a list of 16 questions from its membership to the school board.

The questions range from those about leadership style, to definitions of goals for the school system and what defines a successful school system.

Mary Thomas, co-president of the ACEA, said members have worked on the questions since the January announcement of McQuain’s retirement.

Applications for the superintendent’s position will be accepted until the end of this month, said Nick Collins, the North River member and chair of the selection committee.

Collins said interviews would be conducted by the board during March, and said an announcement on McQuain’s successor could be made by the early part of May.

And in response to the comments from Olivares, Collins said the school board would not rush a decision if applicants are not strong enough.