Lancaster ISD wants public in on superintendent search

by Bill Conrad of Lancaster TODAY

Lancaster citizens wanting a say in the hiring of the new Lancaster ISD superintendent have a chance to share their input with a search firm May 26.

Arrow Educational Services was hired by the district in April to conduct the search. Arrow has worked with several districts in the area including DeSoto, Midlothian and Mabank.

Arrow has formed a questionnaire for Lancaster residents and district employees to gauge what people believe is important in a new superintendent and help them form the criteria that will be used to make a recommendation to the board.

The questionnaire can be found on the district website and must be returned to Arrow by May 26.

Arrow has already received several applications for the position. After the process closes, it will conduct interviews and make a recommendation to the school board. A new superintendent is set to be named before school starts in August.

The superintendent position became vacant when former Superintendent Larry Lewis agreed to resign effective July 31. Under terms of the settlement which was reached Feb. 2, Lewis is still being paid by the district but is not involved in the running of the district. Lewis had been under investigation since June 2008 and on administrative leave since October 2008.

Dana Marable was appointed as the interim superintendent in December and will serve the district until a permanent superintendent is hired.

The meeting with Arrow will take place in the Lancaster High School Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. The high school is located at 200 E. Wintergreen Road.