FWPS Superintendent Search

Overview

On October 13, 2009, Superintendent Tom Murphy announced his retirement to the Board of Education, effective June 30, 2010. The School Board announced a timeline and dates for community listening sessions. 

The Federal Way Board of Directors unanimously approved a 3-year contract with the new superintendent, Robert Neu, at the April 13th, 2010, regular board meeting.

Key Events Along the Way

• On October 13, 2009, Superintendent Tom Murphy announced his retirement to the Board of Education. Read the press release and a letter to parents, view press coverage. The School Board conducted community listening sessions.
• The Board held a work/study session Monday, November 16th, to review responses to a Request for Proposals (RFP) from six search firms.
• Four companies seeking a contract to help find a new school superintendent were selected to make presentations to the Board and answer questions on Tuesday, December 1st.
• On December 8th, the Federal Way Public Schools Board of Directors voted to retain McPherson and Jacobson, L. L. C. Executive Recruitment and Development to conduct a comprehensive search for the district's new superintendent. The base cost for conducting the superintendent search is $23,500.
  • “We are committed to a rigorous and open process, and working with McPherson and Jacobson. L.L.C. will ensure a fair and efficient process,” said Board President Tony Moore. Read the press release.
• On March 13, 2010, the board reviewed all applications in executive session with the search firm and discussed logistics and the nuts and bolts portions of the hiring process. Other than the review of candidates, the meeting was open to the public.
• On March 20, 2010, initial interviews with Superintendent semifinalists were conducted by the board in executive session.
• On March 23, 2010, the board announced the names of the finalists for the position.
• On March 24 and 25, 2010, the two finalists for the position, Rob Neu and Peter Dion, visited Federal Way to meet staff, students, parents and community members in open forums. Read the press release. (Chris, please link to the March 23 web story that showed both candidates bios with links to their resumes).
• During the week of March 29, 2010,board members Suzanne Smith, Angela Griffin and Amye Bronson-Doherty visited the places of current employment of its two final candidates.
• On April 6, 2010, during a Board Work Study, the board voted to offer the position to Rob Neu. Read press release (Chris, link to the April 6 webstory/press release.)
• On April 13, 2010, during the regularly scheduled Board Meeting, the board voted to approve the contract with Rob Neu.

See a more detailed timeline of the Superintendent Search Process

Superintendent Search Criteria

A thorough superintendent search began with a close examination of the internal and external issues which the district will face in the next several years. The Board reached out to staff, parents and community members for input to establish a basis for both short- and long-term goals. Using the district's identified needs as a base, the Board established the following criteria -- which formed the basis for advertising and brochure, the initial review process and the interview questions:

1. Thoughtful yet decisive; someone who will listen to, and weigh, all points of view prior to making decisions; flexible.
2. Student-centered and has student success as their primary motivation.
3. A servant leader; someone who personally models their expectations.
4. A reformer and change agent.
5. Politically savvy and can lobby for what is best for the school district.

Superintendent Search Timeline

* Dates subject to change