May 13, 2024
Original publish date: April 23, 2024
Dear Mounds Park Academy Community,
As we move into the final phases of the search for MPA’s next head of school, I am pleased to update you on our process and timing, as well as share the upcoming engagement opportunities.
The search committee has been extremely busy since our last update. The committee reviewed 11 excellent candidates presented by our search consultants, Carney, Sandoe & Associates. We narrowed the pool to eight semi-finalists, hosted 90-minute individual Zoom interviews with each, and selected a group of four inspiring finalists.
We now look forward to the next set of interviews, which will be held in person at MPA during the month of May. The visits involve a robust schedule of interactions with students of all ages, parents, parents of alumni, alumni, trustees, faculty, staff, administrators, and the search committee. In addition, each finalist will meet with Dr. Bill Hudson.
Knowing that Carney, Sandoe & Associates and the search committee have already ensured that all finalists are highly qualified school leaders, the campus visits are used to determine cultural fit with MPA. Equally important in this phase is ensuring the finalists feel warmly welcomed at MPA and get to know the community, school, and environment.
Please mark your calendars for the following open forums, which will provide you with opportunities to hear from our candidates and engage in Q&A sessions.
Candidate A: May 2 & 3
May 2, 2-3 PM: Current Parents and Caregivers, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
May 2, 3:15-4:15: Faculty and Staff, Recital Hall
May 2, 7-8 PM: Alumni and Parents of Alumni, Zoom (see email for link)
May 3, 11 AM-12 PM: Current Parents and Caregivers, Alumni, Parents of Alumni, Zoom (see email for link)
May 3, 3:15-4 PM: Faculty and Staff, Recital Hall
Candidate B: May 6 & 7
May 6, 2-3 PM: Current Parents and Caregivers, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
May 6, 3:15-4:15: Faculty and Staff, Recital Hall
May 6, 7-8 PM: Alumni and Parents of Alumni, Zoom (see email for link)
May 7, 11 AM-12 PM: Current Parents and Caregivers, Alumni, Parents of Alumni, Zoom (see email for link)
May 7, 3:15-4 PM: Faculty and Staff, Recital Hall
Candidate C: May 9 & 10
May 9, 2-3 PM: Current Parents and Caregivers, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
May 9, 3:15-4:15: Faculty and Staff, Recital Hall
May 9, 7-8 PM: Alumni and Parents of Alumni, Zoom (see email for link)
May 10, 11 AM-12 PM: Current Parents and Caregivers, Alumni, Parents of Alumni, Zoom (see email for link)
May 10, 3:15-4 PM: Faculty and Staff, Recital Hall
Candidate D: May 16 & 17
May 16, 2-3 PM: Current Parents and Caregivers, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
May 16, 3:15-4:15: Faculty and Staff, Recital Hall
May 16, 7-8 PM: Alumni and Parents of Alumni, Zoom (see email for link)
May 17, 11 AM-12 PM: Current Parents and Caregivers, Alumni, Parents of Alumni, Zoom (see email for link)
May 17, 3:15-4 PM: Faculty and Staff, Recital Hall
Finalist names and bios will be released to the community the evening prior to their respective visits. After each visit, you will have the opportunity to share feedback about the candidate with the search committee via a survey. We strongly encourage you to participate in these forums and to respond to the surveys. As always, survey responses will be anonymous.
After thoroughly vetting the feedback from our community, the search committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for a new head of school. We hope to announce that person in June, before the end of the school year. As a reminder, the new head of school will start in the summer of 2025, after Dr. Hudson’s retirement.
This process has been heartening for members of the search committee. All candidates have impressive backgrounds and credentials and are extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead MPA. Simply put, MPA is a vibrant and high-quality school that attracts great candidates.
On behalf of the entire search committee, thank you again for your support of and engagement with this process. Should you have any questions, please email headsearch@moundsparkacademy.org.
Sincerely,
Betsy Van Hecke
MPA Parent of Alumni
Chair, Search Committee
