Current Issue —
Superintendent Search Process
Our school district is embarking on a comprehensive search to identify a visionary and experienced leader who will serve as our next superintendent starting July 1, 2025, when Dr. Noonan retires after serving FCCPS for the past 8 years. We are committed to a transparent and inclusive process that will engage our community, staff, and students in selecting a superintendent who aligns with our district's values and goals.
Please know that dates can change at any time. Contact the School Board for updates on the timeline and process.
This process will result in the selection of a superintendent who is dedicated to providing a high-quality education for all students and fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What firm has the district hired?
FCCPS has selected HYA Associates, one of the country's premier superintendent search firms. They were selected in a competitive bid process that required multiple rounds of review.
How can the community get involved with this process?
Our superintendent search firm will begin its work in December 2024 and its community outreach in January 2025. There will be several community forums where students, parents, staff, and community members can provide feedback on what qualities they value most in a superintendent.
Anyone from the community can contact a school board member anytime to share thoughts, ideas, or concerns.
Why do we need a superintendent search firm?
Searching for a superintendent is a complicated task and can require full-time work. Superintendent search firms provide the expertise needed to recruit highly qualified candidates and provide multiple services, including:
Organize and lead community discussions to build a candidate profile that best reflects the vision for the community
Advertise the position widely to ensure high-quality applicants are found
Help the board develop interview questions
Perform extensive background checks and reputational audits
Transitioning planning for successful onboarding
What is the general timeline?
Over the next several months, we will follow a rigorous timeline that includes:
Contract with superintendent search firm (October/November): Select a superintendent search firm specializing in supporting districts with this process and establish a timeline of deliverables and milestones
On December 2, 2024, the Falls Church School Board selected HYA Corporation as the Superintendent Search Firm. Contract
Community Input (January/February): The search firm will gather feedback from parents, teachers, staff, students, and community members to understand their priorities and expectations for our next superintendent.
Candidate Search (February/March): A search firm will recruit qualified candidates from across the country.
Interviews (March/April): The school board and a committee composed of selected community members, staff, and board members will interview the top candidates.
Final Selection (April/May): The school board will ultimately decide based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and alignment with our district's vision.
New Superintendent will start on July 1, 2025
Will FCCPS conduct a confidential search or rely on an open process for the superintendent search?
FCCPS will engage the entire community with respect to developing the superintendent profile for FCCPS. This will be open to anyone who can offer input at community events or contact any school board member. For the final interview process, all interviews will be conducted confidentially with the school board and a select group of community members, rather than an open process where final interviews may be conducted in a town hall format, for example. According to one firm, almost 95% of superintendent searches in Virginia were conducted this way, which allows for greater interest by applicants to apply.
We will continue to add to this list of FAQs as we receive questions from the community. Our goal is to provide the community with as much transparency and engagement as possible.