Just three residents came to Northwood Middle School for a forum on the qualities that community members would like to see in a new superintendent for Woodstock School District 200.
That was two more than turned out for a focus group held earlier Monday at the Woodstock Opera House.
The sessions were led by consultant Bill Attea, who is helping with the search for a replacement for retiring Supt. Joseph Hentges.
“We feel strongly that [the new superintendent] should be here for the long haul, at least 5 to 10 years,” Attea said Monday night in explaining the desire for community input. Hentges, who will retire at the end of the school year, has held the post for 14 years.
Not dismayed by the turnouts, Attea said that over the years “we’ve had as few as no people and up to 300” attend similar forums. A low turnout, he said, generally indicates community satisfaction with the current administration.
“But the opportunity was extended, and that’s the important thing,” he said.
Among those at Monday’s forum was former Supt. Verda Dierzen, after whom the district’s newest school was named.
“It’s important that the new superintendent involve the community and employ the best administrators and teachers he can,” Dierzen said.
