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 timeline and dates for community listening sessions.
Events
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.
Contact Information/Comments
The Federal Way Board of Directors is seeking input for the Superintendent Search process now underway. The Board would like to receive opinions as to what people see as strengths of the school district and community, what characteristics people would like to see in a Superintendent, and what challenges might lay ahead for the district in the near future.
The FWPS Board of Directors encourages parents and community stakeholders to share their thoughts on the Superintendent Search. Comments or suggestions can be e-mailed to the FWPS School Board at schoolboard@fwps.org.Superintendent Search Timeline
| Date | Event |
| Oct. 13, 2009 | Announcement of retirement of Superintendent Tom Murphy |
| Oct. 22, 2009 | Community listening sessions begin by reconvening the individuals who participated in budget discussions in the spring |
| Oct. 28, 2009 | Send Request For Proposals to prospective Superintendent search firms |
| Nov. 4, 2009 | Listening session: Federal Way High School, 6:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 5, 2009 | Listening session: Todd Beamer High School, 6:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 9, 2009 | Listening session: Decatur High School, 6:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 12, 2009 | Listening session: Thomas Jefferson High School, 6:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 13, 2009 | Deadline for Superintendent search firms to submit proposals to the School Board |
| Nov. 16, 2009 | School Board reviews search firm proposals and selects four finalists |
| Dec. 2009 | Selected search firm meets with the Board to determine the calendar for each phase of the search process including position announcement, advertising, recruiting, screening, interviewing, through hiring. |
| Dec. 1, 2009 | Search firm finalists are interviewed by the School Board |
| Dec. 8, 2009 | School Board selects search firm |
| December 11 | Superintendent position posted |
| December 18 | Search Firm meets with the Board to discuss process and time lines |
| January 6 | Meeting - FWPS Staff, Educational Service Center Board Room |
| January 7 | Meeting - FWPS Staff, Educational Service Center Board Room |
| Jan. 8 - Feb. 19 | Advisory Committee Appointments |
| January 12 | Community Meeting 7:00 p.m. Educational Service Center Board Room |
| January 15 | Community Meeting 12 Noon Educational Service Center Board Room |
| January 20 | Search Firm meets with the Board to share feedback from constituency groups |
| February 24 | Superintendent position closes |
| March 13 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon |
Search firm meets with Board to share applications received and recommend short list |
| March 20 | Board interviews semi finalists |
| March 24, 25, 26 | Board interviews finalists - View the schedule of events |
| Week of March 29 | Board does site visits to finalist's communities |
| Week of April 5 | Board makes selection, offers a contract |
| April 13 | Approval of Contract |
| June 2010 | Tom Murphy retires |
| July 1 | New Superintendent begins position |
* Dates subject to change