Los Gatos Weekly-Times

School board names 12 to advisory committee

By Shari Kaplan

The Los Gatos Union School District's search process for a superintendent to replace Stephen Benbow is under way, with someone new expected before school begins this fall, interim Superintendent Steve Peck said.

Lee Mahon, a professional consultant to the district, held three public forums recently to gather input from parents, educators and other members of the community on their expectations for a superintendent and ideas regarding the search process. Peck said between 40 and 50 people attended the early May forums at Fisher Middle School and Lexington and Van Meter elementary schools.

Following unanimous approval at the district Board of Trustees' May 8 meeting, 12 people were appointed to an advisory interview committee to assist the district and Mahon in replacing Benbow, who resigned in February after an extended leave of absence.

The committee consists of teachers Sandy Louthian of Fisher and Cheryl Werth of Daves Avenue; principals Cullen Hewitt of Fisher and Cleo Osborn of Daves Avenue; classified employee Betsey Duggan of Fisher; secretary to the superintendent Donna Dorsey; and Eric Morley, public affairs director for the Peninsula West Valley Association of Realtors.

Parents of children attending all five district schools also serve on the committee: Rochelle Baumstein (Daves Avenue); Sherrill Downey (Blossom Hill); Jane Hiatt (Fisher); Jill Hygelund (Lexington); and Gayle Gordon (Van Meter).

Peck estimates the district will have 25 to 30 applicants for the superintendent job by the May 17 application deadline, following more than 60 initial inquiries. At a May 13 special board meeting, Mahon and her committee of professional screeners discussed with board members the characteristics they would like to see in a superintendent.

The screening committee will go over all the applications and present 10 to 15 candidates to the board at a closed session on June 3, when the board will select approximately six candidates to interview later in June. Following reference checks and workplace visits of the final few candidates chosen from the six, the board will vote on its final choice.

"I think it's moving very smoothly," Peck said. "We have a quality search consultant. She knows what works and can guide the board to successful completion of the process. I've been very pleased with her work."