School board narrows superintendent field to one

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. >> The Queensbury Union Free School District Board of Education, in its search for the new superintendent of schools, narrowed the field of qualified candidates to one sole finalist.

The Queensbury Board of Education began the search process in July. The process included an online survey to obtain feedback from the community regarding the characteristics, skills and experiences desired in the next superintendent for the district. The Board received over 1,000 responses to the survey and subsequently used the results to create a candidate profile for the next superintendent of schools.

The profile was used to screen applications and rate candidates throughout the interview process.

The Board conducted initial interviews and selected two candidates to be interviewed by two advisory committees made up of community members, faculty, staff, administration, parents, and students. Based upon the initial interviews, and in-depth feedback from the Advisory Committees, the Queensbury Board has decided to move a finalist forward.

The finalist for the position is Kyle Gannon, currently the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at the Queensbury Union Free School District.

Board President Jill Borgos stated, “After screening applications and conducting initial interviews with the Board of Education, we moved two semifinalists forward for subsequent interviews with two advisory committees consisting of representatives from the administration, faculty, support staff, parents, students, and community members.

“We listened to feedback from these advisory committees, completed extensive background checks, and then met to review this feedback and to discuss our own impressions of the two candidates. Following this discussion, the Board has invited Mr. Kyle Gannon back for a final round of interviews.

“On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank all the members of the advisory committees for volunteering their time and sharing their insights as we move through the important process of selecting the next Superintendent of the Queensbury School District. As we move through the final stages of the selection process, we remain committed to finding the best possible superintendent for our district.”

As part of the finalist process, Mr. Gannon will present his entrance plan to the public on Nov. 21 at 4:15 p.m. in the Queensbury Room located right off the front entrance of Queensbury High School. It is expected that the session will be about forty-five minutes in length. This presentation is open to all community members, parents, staff members and students. The Board will then conduct a final interview later that evening.

According to District Superintendent James Dexter, “In reaching this determination, the Board screened applications, conducted initial interviews and received feedback from the two advisory committees based upon their interviews of the candidates. I am pleased with the professional and rigorous process that the Board put in place. Right from the beginning, the Board established a strong vision and developed a specific profile based upon the feedback from the staff and community.

“The Board was steadfast in their determination to use the information that they received to find the district’s next leader.

“After intense review, the Board determined that Mr. Gannon is the candidate that most exemplifies the profile developed by the Board and has decided to move him to the next stage of the search process. They look forward to hearing the feedback from the community about Mr. Gannon’s presentation. Lastly, the Board and I are appreciative of the twenty-seven individuals who composed the advisory committees from across the community. Both committees conducted their assigned tasks in a professional and thoughtful manner.”