SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Schools Seek Ideas on Superintendent

Residents with ideas on the qualifications needed by the next Capistrano Unified School District’s superintendent may address the school board at 7:30 p.m. today.

Ira Krinsky, the district’s consultant hired to conduct a search for Supt. Jerome R. Thornsley’s replacement, is also scheduled today to meet with residents and district employees who wish to voice their opinions individually.

The meetings will take place at the district offices, 32972 Calle Perfecto, and appointments must be made by calling Krinsky at (818) 568-3311.

“These are not meetings for people to come and bash individuals,” Board President Annette Gude said. “This is time for people to come and give positive input about what they want to see in the next superintendent.”

Krinsky said it has been his experience in working with other boards that such public hearings affect decisions.

“Boards, as elected bodies, are representative of their communities, but they do not have all of a community’s shadings and subtleties,” he said. “These meeting are helpful in that they let us know what issues are of concern to the community.”

Thornsley is retiring June 30 after 15 years with district.

The district is paying Krinsky $25,000 as a consultant. He expects to have a final candidate for the board by Feb. 1.

Krinsky originally suggested that the board hold public hearings in Dana Hills, Capistrano Valley and San Clemente high schools, but the board members decided that there would not be enough community interest to justify holding three hearings.