Survey on New Schools Chief Sent to Parents

For parents with children in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, an opportunity to participate in the search for a new superintendent will arrive in the mail this week.

The district on Friday began sending out 16,000 surveys to parents districtwide, seeking opinions on the qualities of a superintendent best suited to lead the troubled district.

“It is important to give everybody the opportunity to respond,” board member Sherry Loofbourrow, said. “I think this is probably the easiest way to give input. Parents don’t need to take the time to go to a meeting, make a phone call, or even draft a letter.”

The survey, prepared by the California School Boards Assn., will be one means to devise criteria for recruiting and screening superintendent candidates.

It contains 30 questions pertaining to desired job performance and qualifications.

The district was forced to plan a search after longtime district Supt. John W. Nicoll announced his retirement in December.

Richard Montgomery, assistant executive director for field services for the search firm, has also scheduled numerous public discussions to collect the same type of information. He established a toll free number--(800) 266-3382--for response.

The district plans to complete the gathering of opinions and survey responses by Feb. 25.

School officials are also taking applications from residents interested in serving as one of the 14 at-large members of the Superintendent Interview Committee.

Those applying should send a one-page letter stating their interest and qualifications to the district office, 1601 16th St., Newport Beach, Calif. 92663. Application deadline is Feb. 27.

For more information, call the district office at (714) 760-3500.